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Art, in all its manifestations, has the power to connect us with what matters the most: it connects us with ourselves, and with life, love and beauty.

That is why, we at Multi-Arts, keep finding ways to bring ARTS to your children’s life and that’s why we created
SATURDAY ARTS with VIRTUAL MULTI-ARTS

Check us on Saturdays and browse around through the several activities we offer: from theater to arts, to mime; even quiet time, a time to settle down with a blanket and listen to the enchanting reading of Josh Gold. Believe me, children LOVE this quiet time!

With the library currently closed, we’re offering this workshop online through Zoom videoconferencing. Space is limited, so please email lfrogameni@northampton-k12.us to register and receive the Zoom meeting link.

About the workshop: Review research and benefits, learn and practice several signs, and learn how to teach American Sign Language to your baby! You will learn everything that you need to know to get started right away.

Baby Sign Language can help:
-Reduce frustration for everyone
-Give babies the ability to express themselves before they can speak
-Accelerate babies’ development of speech
-Enhance early literacy skills
-Deepen bonding

Sheryl White of Baby Kneads has been teaching programs and working with families since 1999. She is a Certified Educator of Infant Massage, Baby Signer, Reiki Master and mother of three. Her role in these classes is to facilitate and help strengthen the connection between infant and caregiver through early communication.

This program is funded by Northampton’s Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative grant and is held in partnership with the Forbes Library.

Because children needs joyful moments, this Saturday April 4, Multi-Arts offers families a free virtual innovative art gathering. Please reply to info@multi-arts.org if you will join us. We will send you more information and a private Zoom link.

Join us for an exciting journey into creativity and discovery. Meet other children who love arts. Get together and share your ideas and dreams. Multi-Arts teachers are outstanding creative artists, sensitive, respectful and caring. They will guide children in the exploration of their own creativity, and spark their curiosity to represent what is on their minds and hearts.

Join us for one, two activities, or the whole day. It is free of charge. All activities last 30 minutes plus 10 extra minutes for social time.

9:00 a.m. Art with Julio Neijens. For children 7-10 years old.
10:00 a.m. Dance/Mime with Josh Gold. All ages.
11:00 a.m. Weave a rug for your stuffed animal with Darla Stabler. For children 7-10 years old.
12:00 p.m. Nature-inspired creative stories with Sequoia LeBreux. For children 8-12 years old.
1:00 p.m. Write your own play, let’s read it, and have so much fun that you won’t want to leave the Zoom room. With Maia Kinney-Petrucha. For children 8-12 years old.
Please read more about our teachers in our website

Multi-Arts is excited to announce plans to produce a play inspired by Carl Sagan’s “Pale Blue Dot”. This production is set to premiere Summer 2020, and will have elements of live music, narration, and of course, fantastical sets & props!

Currently, we are encouraging any child under 18 to watch the video, reflect on Sagan’s words, and create art/poetry/writing inspired by it.

The deadline for submissions is April 7th, and winners will have their ideas incorporated into the final script. Prizes also include up to $300 for applicants 13-18 years old, and a free day at Multi-Arts for ages 4-12

At the heart of this production will be a story abot taking care of our planet, and inspiring change so that we may all preserve this beautiful pale blue dot.

New England Center for Circus Arts said,

Follow our RagTag group of threadbare, yarn-spinning characters as they explore a new patchwork world. You’ll be entwined with our group of mismatched artists as they stitch together a tapestry of talents. This show features high-flying, knot-tying, gravity defying aerialists, loopy jugglers, musicians that pull at your heart strings, and comedy that will leave you in stitches.

We are staging a rally at Stop and Shop in Hadley, MA to urge Stop and Shop to cut their contracts with their meat supplier, Cargill. Cargill is responsible for deforestation of the Amazon and other forests in South America, water pollution across the US, and many other issues! Stop and Shop is one of their larger clients. We need Stop & Shop to send an important message to Cargill by cutting their contracts!

The Quark Quartet is comprised of four trained musicians who do not perform for a living, but who are energized by and committed to performance. The Quark musicians are Naomi Lesley and Marijo Sherrill (violins), Jessica Corwin (viola), and Sally Greenebaum (cello). In the winter of 2018, they formed a quartet with the goal of offering high quality, engaging, and welcoming chamber music concerts for the Pioneer Valley public. Since their relatively recent founding, they have performed for benefit concerts, library recitals — including at Forbes –, children’s concerts, and retirement communities. After their second concert cycle, they made a commitment to seek out and perform works by under-represented composers–women and composers of color.

On April 21, they will present a concert specifically designed for children ages 3 to 12.

See the show audiences are calling “Superb!”, “A blast!”, and “Heartwarming fun for the whole family.” Join magician and juggler Scott Jameson for an extraordinary performance that will have you laughing out loud and perched on the very edge of your seat. Umbrellas will be plucked from thin air, a drawing will come to life, basketballs will be spun and juggled, and a member of the audience will unlock telekinetic abilities. Don’t miss it! Participation will be limited to the first 50 people to arrive.

The Family Center said,

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk –Starts first week of April –Register now A Free 4-Week Parent Class Wednesdays, April 1, 8, 15, 22 and May 6 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. At The Family Center. This class for parents of 2.5-8 year olds offers practical strategies that work in everyday parenting. Learn how to deal with a child’s feelings and resolve family conflicts peacefully. FREE child care, dinner and transportation (if needed). Call to register at 413 664-4821.

MIDDLE SCHOOL INFORMATION SESSION: March 11, 5-6pm at the Montessori School of Northampton

Why Montessori Middle School? Adolescence is a time of tremendous change. At the Montessori School of Northampton, our middle schoolers are able to navigate this transformative period through discovering and developing their academic, social, and emotional potential. Working independently and as role models in the school community, our middle schoolers find their place and grow into their authentic selves. Come learn more about the Montessori School of Northampton’s seventh and eighth grade program!

NECCA presents the ProTrack graduation performance, JANUS, envisioned by guest director Joel Baker (Cirque du Soleil, 7 Fingers) evoking the spirit of beginnings and transitions that ushers these transformed graduates onto a new stage in their circus careers and move from who they were to who they are becoming. Revel in the nuances of acrobatic theater that is at once otherworldly and accessibly human as you forget what is possible and immerse yourself in the joy of the human spirit in motion.

We have an event coming up that we would love to have listed. Here are the details.

Description:
Toby MacNutt is a queer, nonbinary trans, disabled artist living in Vermont. They have been a dancer most of their life, and their choreography and other creative work frequently explores themes of embodiment, identity, and relationships. In a Singular They, Toby asks: “When change is who you are, who are you?” Solos for ground, aerials, and mobility apparatus engage different elements of identity and embodiment, including an outsider’s approach to masculinity, the way time changes with chronic pain, and what it’s like to find freedom.

The show will be held at NECCA: 10 Town Crier Dr. Brattleboro, VT 05301.

Join Northfield Mountain staff for a fun, family adventure by the light of the moon. Learn how to navigate like nocturnal creatures, pretend to be predators sneaking up on prey and learn about the shocking scientific mysteries rolled up in Wintergreen Lifesavers! A cup of cocoa around our pellet stove will warm us on our return to the Center. No previous snowshoeing experience is necessary. Bring water, wear light-weight waterproof pants, warm socks, and dress in warm layers that can be shed as we get moving. Warm footwear is essential. If we are open for skiing, snowshoes are required. All levels of experience are welcome.

Family Request Room: Live Piano Karaoke & Sing-Along At the Eric Carle!

THIS WEEKEND!

Feb 23, 2020
Eric Carle Museum
2:00pm – 4:00pm

End Winter Break on a high note! Join composer / pianist Josh Sitron (Nickelodeon, Disney) and special guest song-leaders including Evan Curran from Shiprock & Anchordog for this live piano karaoke and singalong like no other. Josh takes YOUR song requests, whose chords and lyrics are then projected for all to see! (Great reading practice!) Come up to the mic, singalong with the crowd, or even suggest songs anonymously by putting a slip of paper in the magic hat. All songs attempted!

For anybody who likes to sing or needs a smile. You do not have to be a ‘good’ singer – the key is to have fun. (And as we say at the Request Room: “Anyone can be a Bob Dylan!”) Super fun & supportive atmosphere for all ages.

$6 Adult / Youth (Members: $5 Adult / Youth)

Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Museum Admissions Desk or by calling 413-559-6336 or going to

Judy B said,

FRESH AIR FUND-
HOSTS NEEDED
The Fresh Air Fund, a non-profit organization started in 1877, is seeking hosts to provide children ages 7 to 12 the chance to enjoy new experiences outside of NYC for one week this summer. Hosts can be singles and couples with or without children. FAF covers all costs and you can select the gender and age of the child. We offer local support and fun activities! Visit freshair.org for more information and to submit a host application!

Rocking with Fossils and Minerals
Sat., Feb. 15; 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
For all ages 8 and older
Free
No registration required
This family program will focus on rocks and fossils. Presented by the Connecticut Valley Mineral Club of Springfield, MA, learn about minerals used in everyday life and fossils found in the Connecticut River Valley. Enjoy the opportunity to touch and get a close-up view of a variety of cool rocks and fossils from long ago. This program is appropriate for adults and children age 8 and older. Check out http://www.cvmineralclub.org

This family program will focus on rocks and fossils. Presented by the Connecticut Valley Mineral Club of Springfield, MA, learn about minerals used in everyday life and fossils found in the Connecticut River Valley. Enjoy the opportunity to touch and get a close-up view of a variety of cool rocks and fossils from long ago. This program is appropriate for adults and children age 8 and older. Check out http://www.cvmineralclub.org

Amy Meltzer said,

Celebrate the birthday of the Trees!
Sunday, February 9 10am- 11:30 am
Northampton, MA
Lander Grinspoon Academ7 257 Prospect Street
413-584-6622
Learn about the ancient Jewish holiday of Tu Bishvat by discovering the rich habitat in the trees surrounding Lander Grinspoon Academy and Abundance Farm. Then, create your own woodland habitat out of upcycled materials to take home. Especially for children ages 3-5 and their grownups. Every PJ Pals event includes stories, songs and tumble time in our sunny multi-purpose room. Suggested donation of $5 per family. All are welcome!https://www.facebook.com/events/2497442640517048/

Kindergarten through Middle School artists at the Montessori School of Northampton will exhibit their Symbol Paintings at The Green Bean restaurant in Northampton from February 5 – March 3.
Students engaged in a sequence of work leading to their final paintings, which are acrylic on canvas, 16″ x 20″ each. Each student created original symbols for things, people, places and values that were meaningful to them. They also created color studies to find a palette of only two colors to use in their paintings. They tried combinations of colors that were analogous, high contrast and low contrast in relation to each other. They did preparatory compositions, and worked to paint a flat surface for the ground color. Finally they drew, then painted their symbol composition onto the canvas. Each painting is an expression of personal meaning, line and color.

We all need help sometimes. At the Parent Café we share information and ideas that help us take care of ourselves, build strong relationships with our kids and raise children who thrive.

This particular Parent Cafe is for DADS.** Together we can talk about the challenges of parenting and build the resilience we need to be good parents. We will create a community that supports us in keeping our children safe and our families strong!

Childcare and a lovely supper will be provided for free.
This event is open to dads with young children.

***Please RSVP***
Call the Early Childhood Center at 587-1471 or email Mandy Gerry at mgerry@northampton-k12.us to let us know you’re coming, and to ask any questions.

The Café is sponsored by the Northampton/Hadley Family Connection (CFCE), funded by a grant through the MA Department of Early Education and Care.

Come see what happens when a mitten is dropped in the snow and a passel of curious animals discover its cozy interior.

Performed entirely with shadow puppets, this pop-up window theatre makes a special appearance during Greenfield Winter Carnival on Saturday, February 1.

Staged in the windows of Source Studios, on the second floor of 267 Main Street in downtown Greenfield, the performance is best viewed from the sidewalk in front of the GCC building. Catch a show every 15 minutes, between 5pm-7pm!

*This program is supported in part by grants from the Greenfield, Leyden, Gill, and Conway Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.* Thank you for supporting the arts!

Take a walk on the wild side! The Student Prince and The Fort Restaurant at 8 Fort Street in Springfield, MA brings you Springfield’s Original GAME MONTH throughout the entire month of February. A separate GAME MONTH MENU will feature amazing game dishes prepared exquisitely with game meats such as buffalo, boar, ostrich, shark, rabbit, pheasant, venison, bison, quail and other meats and fish. Go to studentprince.com for the full GAME MONTH menu.

Three HUNTER’S DINNERS are planned for February 6, 18 and 27. Reservations are recommended. Six courses will include Elk Sausage, Game Stew, Poussin and Buffalo Ribeye, preceded with unique appetizers such as Crispy Duck Wings and Wild Boar Hash and followed by a flaming dessert. It’s a culinary experience and a fun time for hunting groups, foodies and those with a curious palate! See the HUNTER’S DINNER MENU at studentprince.com.

Make your reservations online at studentprince.com or call 413-734-7475.

We will start 6pm with Havdalah & pizza, a short mixer and then spend time playing… either MAGIC THE GATHERING DRAFT, or alternative GAMES like Settlers of Catan and Pandemic + CRAFTS and scribal arts options.

$12 per teen (no one will be turned away for lack of funds). PIZZA provided.
For the Magic the Gathering Draft, it will be the new ‘Theros Beyond Death’ set (being released Jan 24), run by Chanina Kosovske and Ben Gollis-Pedelaborde. There are other games planned if you are not into Magic. Your friends are also welcome!

Stop by after school for games, crafts, and stories about Northampton history! Every week, we’ll be putting out a big map of Northampton with historical buildings, people, and cars, all color-able with chalk! And at 3:15, the whole group will read a story, make a craft, play a game, or participate in a close looking activity – all designed to help kids learn more about history, specifically the history of Northampton! Historic Northampton is always free, although we do welcome donations.

The Circus Spectacular is a dazzling fundraising event. Starring guest artists from circuses around the world, this is a unique opportunity to see some of today’s most renowned high flying aerialists, acrobats, and jugglers in Brattleboro on the Latchis Theater stage. An evening of incredible, world-class entertainment for the entire family that supports scholarship and outreach programming from the New England Center for Circus Arts.

Sarah Johnson said,

Join us for a special storytime in partnership with Northampton/Hadley Family Connection celebrating grandparents! We’ll make wearable butterfly wings and all attendees will receive a free copy of Our Favorite Day by Joowon Oh. For grandparents and their grandchildren ages 2.5-8. Co-Sponsored by the Northampton/Hadley CFCE through a grant from the MA Department of Early Education and Care.

‘Let The Confusion Begin!’
The Young Shakespeare Players-East Present The Comedy of Errors

Turners Falls, MA – Twenty-six actors, ages 8-18, make up the four casts performing William Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors at the Shea Theater in Turners Falls, this week, January 14-19.

Imagine if two identical twin boys were separated shortly after birth. Then imagine another two identical twin boys, born the same day as the first two, were purchased to be the first pair’s servants — and they also became separated at the same time. Now, 23 years later, all four (both sets of twins) find themselves in the same city — and don’t know it! Everyone confuses each twin for the other. Masters and servants mistake one another, a wife thinks she’s dining with her husband when it’s really the brother-in-law she never met before, and people assume they’re surrounded by witchcraft or madness. Shakespeare never wrote a zanier, funnier comedy than The Comedy of Errors. As usual, YSP East performs it uncut!

Run time approx. 150 minutes with one intermission. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend. No reservations required. Doors open 20 minutes prior to each show. Delicious concessions and Bard-inspired merchandise for sale, all proceeds go to support YSP East’s Scholarship fund. http://www.youngshakespeareplayerseast.org

• A great place for toddlers and preschoolers to play!
• A safe place for infants and their parents/caregivers to hang out!
• A chance to meet and chat with other parents/caregivers!
• Information on other local family support services and activities!
• Healthy snacks provided
• Free books to for your child

The Northampton Public Schools Preschool is a play-based, child-centered, integrated preschool open to families who live in Northampton, Florence, and Leeds.

Our primarily half-day program runs 4 days a week, from Monday-Thursday for 2.5 hours a session (morning or afternoon). There is a limited full-day option for children who will be 4 by August 31, chosen by lottery. This year, there is also a limited full-day 5-day option that is grant-funded and subject to change.

Children attend in 2 locations (Bridge Street School and Leeds School), with outdoor play each day.

Children who turn 3 by August 31 are eligible to start in September. We hold an acceptance lottery on January 24, then have rolling admissions thereafter.

Winter Wildlife Detectives
Saturday, February 8th
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Call to pre-register at 800-859-2960
Join educator Kathy Richards at Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center for a fun, family adventure exploring wildlife in winter. Using detective skills, learn how to read the stories written upon the forest floor. Games, activities and outdoor exploration will ensure a fun time for all ages. Whose tracks are these? How do wild animals survive the winter? Discover what animals are active in Northfield’s fields and forests. If our trails are open for skiing, snowshoes are required. If snow is insufficient for snowshoeing, the program will take place on foot.

End Winter Break on a high note! Join composer / pianist Josh Sitron (Nickelodeon, Disney) and special guest song-leaders including Evan Curran from Shiprock & Anchordog for this live piano karaoke and singalong like no other. Josh takes YOUR song requests, whose chords and lyrics are then projected for all to see! (Great reading practice!) Come up to the mic, singalong with the crowd, or even suggest songs anonymously by putting a slip of paper in the magic hat. All songs attempted!

For anybody who likes to sing or needs a smile. You do not have to be a ‘good’ singer – the key is to have fun. (And as we say at the Request Room: “Anyone can be a Bob Dylan!”) Super fun & supportive atmosphere for all ages.

$6 Adult / Youth (Members: $5 Adult / Youth)

Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Museum Admissions Desk or by calling 413-559-6336 or going to

Amy Meltzer said,

Local hero Katryna Nields will lead us in a joyful musical celebration of the legacy of Martin Luther King and the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), with songs of peace, justice, and of course, harmony. 45 minute music session followed by tumble time in our sunny multi-purpose room. Free/Suggested $5 donation per family. 257 Prospect Street Northampton 413-584-6622

Pat Keith said,

Winter Sing!
Everyone’s invited to come sing songs of the season on Friday, January 3, from 7-8:30 pm at the Village Church, Main Street, Cummington. If you haven’t yet had your fill of holiday songs and carols this is the place to be! We will be led by Meg Breymann and David Locke, who may surprise us with a special song or two and be joined by their singing group friends. Bring a request and bring your friends! Refreshments will be served however, more are always welcome, BYOD. FREE! For information call Pat at 413-563-1981.

PJ Library Presents Sparkle Havdallah
January 11, 2020
5:45 pm
Family event, all ages
Lander~Grinspoon Academy
257 Prospect Street
Northampton, Massachusetts 01060
Visit our Facebook event page for more details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1008108639559396/
Pre-registration: $5/Person (children 12 months and under are FREE)
At the door: $10/Person or $30/Family
Proceeds to benefit Keshet- For LGBTQ Equality in Jewish Life.
*If cost is a hardship for you, more than 4 family members will be joining you, or if you have any questions, please contact us at PJLibrary@JewishWesternMass.org.

Pamela Victor said,

The Understudies: An Improvised Musical! Be part of the fun as brave improvisers and their trusty musician create an entire musical from scratch. Saturday, January 4th at 7pm at the Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, on rte.9). Tickets: $13 online and at the door.
For more info: http://www.happiervalley.com.

—–

Improvised Mockumentary: A new limited run show inspired by The Office and Christopher Guest films! Saturday, January 11th at 7pm at the Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, on rte.9). Tickets: $13 online and at the door.
For more info: http://www.happiervalley.com.

—–

Storytelling Standup Showcase: Catch new talent trying out their latest material, hosted by the amazing Kelsey Flynn! Friday, January 17th at 7pm at the Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, on rte.9). Tickets: $5 at the door.
For more info: http://www.happiervalley.com.

—–

The Happier FAMILY Comedy Show: Monthly family-friendly improv comedy show, great for 5-13 year olds and their adults. It’s funny for the whole family! Saturday, January 18th at 3pm at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art (125 W Bay Rd., Amherst). Tickets at the door: $10/Adults, $5/Kids, Free/4 yrs and under (Reduced admission for museum members).
For more info: http://www.happiervalley.com.

—–

HVC Presents: Not In Charge! Join the talented group Not In Charge for a polished, fast-paced improv show inspired by true stories from the cast and audience! Saturday, January 18th at 7pm at the Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, on rte.9). Tickets: $13 online and at the door.
For more info: http://www.happiervalley.com.

—–

The Happier Valley Championship! In this competitive comedy show, two teams of improvisers face off through scenes and games to see who can win the ultimate prize: an old trophy we found in someone’s attic. Saturday, January 25th at 7pm at the Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, on rte.9). Tickets: $13 online and at the door.
For more info: http://www.happiervalley.com.

Come and join the Chanukah fun at the Longmeadow Shops at Bliss Rd. in Longmeadow on Sunday, December 29. This year’s menorah will be made out of Lego and will be 6 feet tall! Activities begin at 4:00 p.m. and the menorah lighting at 5:00 p.m. There will be Chanukah activities, music, dreidels, hot cocoa, donuts, hot latkes, and hot coffee sponsored by Aroma Café at the J. No reservations are requested and there is no charge to attend. This event is partially sponsored by Beis Medrash Lubavitch and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.

Rochel Leah Kosofsky said,

Children ages 5- 13 (and their parents) are invited to Celebrate Chanukah at LYA. The afternoon will include Chanukah activities, games, crafts, foods and storytelling. All participants will be able to assist in the building of a 6 foot Lego menorah that will be lit at the Longmeadow Shops on Sunday, Dec. 29. There is no charge to attend Celebrate Chanukah and the event is open to the public. The fun will begin at 12:30 p.m.
No reservation is required. For more information please call LYA at 413-567-8665 or email info@lya.org.

The 7th Annual Easthampton WinterFest will be held on Sat. Feb. 8, 2020 in locations throughout the city. This family-friendly event includes an historical ice harvest, wagon rides , a 90+ vendor craft fair, dance and music parties, art making, a family movie, chili cook-off, scavenger hunt, nature walks, cupcake decorating, magic shows, public mural making, and much more!

Sarah Johnson said,

Have you unlocked the entire roster and found your main yet? If so (or even if not), come compete against the best Ultimate players in your area at our Forbes Library Smash Ultimate Tournament!

Tournament entry is FREE and you DO NOT need to be a library member to attend. Friendlies begin at 12:30pm, official tournament brackets start at 1:00pm. We will have pro and GameCube controllers available, as well as GameCube adaptors. Players are welcome to bring their own controller.

Our lobby is always open and we love giving tours, but on January 4th we’re cracking open the whole building for you to come play! Saturday from 12–2 pm you can explore our custom-built circus facility, play on aerial silks, learn to juggle, balance on a wire, and hang on a low trapeze. There will be student demos and staff on hand to answer any questions you might have. The Open House is free and we’ll have activities for youth 18 months and older as well as for adults of all ages.

This is also your chance to put your daring to the test on our flying trapeze. Clip into safety lines and swing out over the net for a thrilling experience unlike any other. $10 for one turn or $20 for three turns. Open to anyone ages 5 and up.

WHEN: Thursday, Jan 16: 9:30-11:15 (snow date is January 23)
WHERE: lower level of Edwards Church at the corner of State and Main Streets in Northampton. Please use the back door and public parking.

Representatives from Northampton and Hadley area preschools and other local organizations serving families with young children will be available to answer questions and give information. Car seat checks by the Northampton Public Health Nurse.

The Fort Carolers will perform classic Christmas carols daily or nightly through Dec. 23 at The Student Prince & The Fort Restaurant at 8 Fort Street in Springfield.
Sing along or sit back and enjoy the classic songs of the season while you wine and dine in the holiday decorated restaurant featuring German and American fare.
Bring the kids for Brunch with Santa on Sunday, Dec. 15, or stop by for Gift Cards for everyone on your list.
It’s the holiday season at The Student Prince & The Fort Restaurant. Call for reservations: 413-734-7475 or email info@studentprince.com. Go to The Student Prince Website calendar for performance times.
Shedule of times: https://www.studentprince.com

KINDERGARTEN INFO NIGHTS! Northampton Public Schools
We have 2 more dates (including tonight) to go!

If you have an child eligible for Kindergarten next fall in Northampton, Leeds, or Florence, please join us on any of the dates below to learn about our curriculum, daily activities, family involvement, school lunch, busing, orientation, registration dates, developmental screenings and so much more!

This event is designed for parents and caregivers. If it’s necessary for you to bring your child, childcare will be provided (no cost). In the spring there are activities designed for incoming kindergarten students.

Sarah Johnson said,

A very silly and very interactive show! Not the traditional stuff. Mr. Vinny is out in front with the audience using an old school overhead projector and his homemade shadow puppets. He and the kids play “What’s that Shadow” and tell stories like “The 12 Lil’ Pigs and the Big Bad Pineapple.” It’s the rowdiest Shadow Puppet show out there! Best for kids ages 3 + up.

Sarah Johnson said,

Playful Engineers teaching artist and engineering enthusiast Jay Mankita will present a hands-on workshop in which participants will have a chance to design, build, test, and play with Rube Goldberg “Machines”, and other chain reactions, connecting focused play with serious science. Participants learn through demonstration and play, exploring basic force and motion physics, as they build fun chain reactions with common toys and other ordinary materials. Jay brings lots of materials to work with, including dominoes, wood blocks, string, chain, pulleys, elastics, tinkier toys, k’nex, legos, tracks, ping-pong balls, clamps, connectors, bases, dowels, and magnets. For ages 5 and up.

Winter Craft with Northfield Mountain at Special Day in Northfield
December 14th
11:00 a.m. until 1:p.m.
Deerfield Valley Art Association Center for the Arts
105 Main Street, Northfield, MA

The town of Northfield’s “Special Day” celebrates its 14th year with old-fashioned holiday fun for all ages from 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 14th. Travel around the beautiful, historic town in true New England style with free horse-drawn hayrides and enjoy musical performances, crafts and local shopping. Join Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center staff from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. and create your own winter cards and holiday wrapping paper using wild animal track rubber stamps and other materials. It’s free and suitable for ages 3 and older and takes place at the Deerfield Valley Art Association’s Center for the Arts at 105 Main Street. A community bonfire, caroling, delicious snacks, history, art and more all round out this Special Day in Northfield.

Join us for a talk on the Fabulous Winter Crow Roost at Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center. Bob and Dana Fox will share their research on the winter crow roost in Lawrence MA where there were as many as 27,000 crows roosting every night! Dana and Bob observed their staging (gathering an hour before sunset) and roosting (a half hour after sunset) a hundred nights during the 2017- 2018 winter! Why do crows do this? Where do they go during the day? What are the patterns observed each winter? Join us to see amazing photographs, learn about this highly intelligent bird and their unusual roosting phenomena. You will want to go out and observe a crow roost when they finish! Visit their blog http://www.wintercrowroost.com

Ring in the season with the Montague Community Band! Come out to the Shea to hear all your holiday favorites, from Leroy Anderson to Tchaikovsky, Charlie Brown to the Grinch, Klezmer Dances to the Dreydl Song, Bing Crosby to Frank Sinatra, and much more! The MCB is excited to welcome special guest narrator GCC President Dr. Yves Salomon-Fernández, vocalist Randi Humphrey, and the Connecticut River Flute Choir. The MCB is made up of local musicians from Montague and throughout the valley, and directed by Hannah Smeltz.

Sarah Johnson said,

Join Sarah and Kat for an extra special New Year’s countdown…it’s going to be the smallest party in town!

Zero to two year-olds, along with parents and caregivers, are invited to a very special baby storytime and party! We’ll ring in the new year (just a little bit early!) with songs, stories, puppets and bubbles! Join us for a countdown to 12 noon, and an apple juice toast. Formal attire for babies encouraged, but not necessary!

If you bring a new skater, suggest wearing snow pants. Just makes falling more comfortable. We have had days were it has been cold at the rink. So, you might want to bring mittens or gloves for younger skaters.
You can bring clean buckets without the metal holding ring for new skaters.
Check lost and found if you come often.
Please bring your own water and snacks. The vending machines do not always work.
Have lots of fun!
Thanks,
Anne

Be Kind Party with PJ Pals
November 24
10-11:30
For Preschool age children and their grownups
Lander Grinspoon Academy
257 Prospect St NorthamptonOffice@landergrinspoon.org; 413-584-6622
Free with suggested donation of $5 per family
A kindness party to celebrate the new book Be Kind by local author Naomi Shulman. We’ll have stations set up with fun activities for preschoolers that promote kindness. Signed books for sale at the event! Suggested donation $5/family (optional.)https://www.facebook.com/events/521338435097379/

* Boreal Forest Volunteer Trail Work Day at Tamarack Hollow Sunday November 10th 9am-1pm Help clear trails and continue to prep the site of the future nature center – come for some of the time or the whole time! Snacks and cider provided – please bring your own gloves (and lunch if staying for the day). Email aimee@gaiaroots.com to register

Mary Lyon Church said,

A reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” will be at 1 pm on Sat. 11/23 at The Buckland Public Hall, 15 Upper St., Buckland Center. FREE candy canes will be handed out to all the good little girls and boys.

Mary Lyon Church said,

Author and illustrator, Beverly Duncan. will read from “Christmas in the Stable” at 11:00 am in the Buckland Public Hall, 15 Upper St., Buckland, MA as part of the Mary Lyon Church’s Silver Bell Bazaar. Beverly Duncan is an author and illustrator of many children’s books. She studied graphic design at the University of California/Berkeley and children’s book illustration at the Northampton School of Design. Duncan is also a botanical artist.

Learn about Indian Culture, Experience Indian Dance, Enjoy Indian Cuisine!
Amherst Ballet is hosting a free Indian Dance workshop. Participants will be treated to a reception featuring Indian cuisine at the end.

Do you have an child eligible for Kindergarten next fall in Northampton, Leeds, or Florence? Please join us on any of the dates below to learn about our curriculum, daily activities, family involvement, school lunch, busing, orientation, registration dates, developmental screenings and so much more!

This event is designed for parents and caregivers. If it’s necessary for you to bring your child, childcare will be provided (no cost). In the spring there are activities designed for incoming kindergarten students.

Join us at the Northampton High School to Shop from a beautiful selection of goods produced by 90 juried artisans and our delightful children’s book sale. The silent auction will be held on Saturday. Delicious food will be available for purchase from Hillside Pizza and Catering.

Enjoy live music while you shop! We’ll host local jazz singer Taylor McCoy on Saturday, 11am – 1pm and on Sunday, 12 – 2pm.

Times:
Saturday 9:30am – 4:30pm
Sunday 10:00am – 4:00pm

Admission:
$5 for adults
Free for children
Free parking on premises

Benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County in furthering the mission of creating and supporting one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.

Picture Book Theatre presents The Littlest Matryoshka
November 24, 2019
2:30pm
November 29, 2019
1:00pm and 2:30pm
November 30, 2019
11:00am
At The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
$5 (Members $4.50) Does not include Museum Admission
Join us for Picture Book Theatre’s Final Season!
See Corinne Demas’s story of The Littlest Matryoshka (with illustrations by Kathryn Brown) come to life by Picture Book Theatre using large string puppets. This 40-minute family program is recommended for ages 5 and up.
Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Museum’s Admissions Desk or by calling 413-559-6336.

Materials Play
November 22, 2019
11:30am
At The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Free with Museum Admission
Experiment with materials selected especially for young explorers and their caregivers in the Art Studio. Dress for mess!

Happier Family Comedy Show
November 16, 2019
3:00pm – 4:00pm
At The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
$10 Adult / $5 Youth (Members: $9 Adult / $4.50 Youth)
Geared for kids ages 5-12, you won’t want to miss this program packed full of high energy and family-friendly funnies! Each improv show is an hour-long, all new, and created on the spot based on audience members’ suggestions and participation.
Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Museum Admissions Desk or by calling 413-559-6336.

Homeschool Workshop: Bookmaking!
November 12, 2019
10:00am – 12:00pm
At The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
$16 (Members $13.60)
Ages 6-12 with accompanying adult
Create several books in this facilitated program designed to introduce basic bookmaking techniques and encourage storytelling. Maximum number of children per adult is 3, cost is per child, and accompanying adults are free and invited to join in!
See https://shop.carlemuseum.org/category/workshops-classes/youth-families to sign up.

Gallery Talk with Maira Kalman
November 10, 2019
1:00pm
At The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Free with Museum Admission
Join award-winning author/artist Maira Kalman for a gallery talk in her exhibition The Pursuit of Everything: Maira Kalman’s Books for Children. A book signing will follow the program.

Toddler and Preschool Play Series: Open Book, Open Play
November 8, 2019
10:30am – 11:30am
At The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Free with Museum Admission
Enjoy an interactive storytime in the Reading Library, followed by time to move, play, and explore art materials.

Word Play with Center Dance Studio
November 29, 2019
10:30am – 11:30am
At The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Free with Museum Admission; registration requiredhttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/word-play-with-center-dance-studio-tickets-62375594081
Ages 3 and up; caregiver participation welcome
Creative movement and narrative dance inspired by picture books. Bring your imagination and your dancing feet!
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Amherst Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Meet art educators Marion Abrams and Hilary Emerson Lay and make a felt bird craft from their new book, Art Sparks! All art materials will be provided for free, and copies of the book will be available for purchase. This event is intended for children ages 5+.

Regina Diemand said,

Pioneer Valley Symphony Chorus & Chamber Choir present Animalia! Music inspired by the animal kingdom, featuring organist Noah Horn.
Sunday Nov 3 4-5:30PM at Second Congregational Church
Greenfield, followed by a free and open reception with the singers.

bkatusich said,

All4Her Women’s and Teen Girl’s Fall Consignment sale, Friday-Saturday, 10/18/19 – 10/19/19. St. Philip’s Church, 128 Main Street Easthampton. 7pm-9pm Friday; 9am-2pm Saturday. 1-2pm 1/2 price sale. Come and shop for great clothing, accessories, and some gifts and household items. This is a popular sale so come early! https://www.facebook.com/events/364434587804412/ for more info or email all4her.01027@gmail.com. See you there!

We all need help sometimes. At the Parent Café we share information and ideas that help us take care of ourselves, build strong relationships with our kids and raise children who thrive. Together we can talk about the challenges of parenting and build the resilience we need to be good parents. We will create a community that supports us in keeping our children safe and our families strong!

Kathie Pipczynski said,

Annual New York City Bus Trip!
When: Sunday, November 17, 2019
Where to get on the bus: pick up at Red Roof Inn, 7 a.m., Walmart Northampton at 7:20. Complimentary coffee & Homemade pastries before boarding in Northampton. Arrive in NYC approx. 11:00. Depart city at 7 p.m. A DAY ON YOUR OWN IN THE CITY!

Included in the cost of only $54: Comp. coffee & pastries, snack packs & bottle water on the bus, door prizes, raffles, movies and driver’s gratuities all included in the price!

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP/PAY IS NOVEMBER 1ST. PLEASE NOTE: Payment is non-refundable, so check the date carefully.

Call Kathie at 413-461-1189 (land line) or email: kpipski@gmail.com
This trip is open to all ages! It is my 12th year heading up this trip!
Call or email today as I have just a few seats left!

Springfield’s Original Mighty Oktoberfest, Oct. 4 & 5
Springfield’s Original Mighty Oktoberfest is the craziest most-authentic Oktoberfest in Western Massachusetts and it takes place on Friday & Saturday, October 4 & 5. This two-day block party will close Fort Street for the tapping of the Ceremonial Keg by Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, live bands, festive fare outdoors and in the restaurant, a Law Enforcement Appreciation Party on Friday from 5 to 7, and Kids Day on Saturday from 12 to 3.
Springfield’s Original Mighty Oktoberfest is presented by The Student Prince & The Fort Restaurant, 8 Fort Street, Springfield. A generous portion of the proceeds from Oktoberfest will benefit the Melha Shriners of Springfield. Roll out the barrel and have a barrel of fun! For more information, go to https://www.studentprince.com or https://www.studentprince.com/oktoberfest.

Description:
Join us for Circus Spooktacular: A Recipe for Disaster. NECCA’s instructors and special guests will lead you on a high-energy circus romp through a story of witches, monsters, and some surprisingly lively undead. May not be appropriate for young children.

Dave Wallace said,

Join us for the Global Climate Strike on Friday September 20th
At Bittersweet Herb Farm, 635 Mohawk Trail, Shelburne Falls
Right on RT. 2
“Get Green While it’s Still Cool” T-shirts are free while they last. And we have placards

Explore the magic of Harry Potter using LEGO®! Find Platform 9 ¾, build Hogwarts Express Train, work cooperatively to construct the mysterious Hogwarts Castle, and soar on the wings of a Hungarian Horntail Dragon. Travel to a world of wizardry and hone your magical skills while learning about Muggle (STEM) concepts.

Begins Thursday, October 3 and every Thursdays after from 3:30 – 5:00 thru December 19 (no class October 31 & November 28)

Jim Foudy said,

Hilltown Artisans Guild Combine with Church Fair
A show and sale of work by Hilltown Artisans Guild combined with a traditional church fair on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 9 a..m. to 3 p.m. at Haydenville Congregational Church. Artists will be selling words under tents outside the church. Inside the church will have a luncheon, baked goods table, garden produce and potted plants for sale and a raffle table with items donated by the artists.Children are making jewelry to sell. The church is at 143 Main St. Haydenville. For more information contact the church office at 413-268-9344.

Fighting For A Slice Of The Pie
Free Business Workshop Series
How does mindset affect how we see opportunity?
September 12, 2019
5:30 -6:30 pm
First Floor Conference Room
Valley Venture Mentors
276 Bridge St
Springfield, MA 01103

9 to Thrive provides group and individual training to help organizations increase happiness through innovative tools and frameworks.

Do you need to attract investors, clients, or other engagement to your business? Is there just not enough—money, interest, people? Right now you’re wasting time and missing opportunities you don’t even know were there, and it’s not your fault. Our brains have hidden biases that work against us. And worse, our negativity is contagious.

But this doesn’t have to be the case. There are ways to make our businesses stronger and more attractive. This workshop will include hacks, skills, and resources to start improving immediately.

9 to Thrive provides group and individual training to help organizations increase happiness through innovative tools and frameworks.

The Hilltown Mobile Market is an innovative project to increase the availability of fresh, local, and affordable produce to Hilltown residents. In 2019 we are offering two “pop-up” farm stands in Worthington and Huntington from July 25th through Sept 27th. Produce from multiple local Hilltown farms will be offered for sale and everyone is welcome to shop. We proudly accept many forms of payment: cash, credit, debit, SNAP, WIC, and Senior FMNP Coupons.

You will learn the basics and weave one broom that will be cut into three brooms.

Participants will learn the process of broom making and weave their own shaker combo broom. They will be able to make one broom through binding broom corn and then weaving broom stalks. That skill will be repeated three times and then the broom will be cut into three parts. There will be a cake tester, pot scrubber, and a hand broom. Cake testers were used to check the done-ness of a cake by removing one broom straw from the broom and inserting it into the cake. A pot scrubber is used on pots or cast iron to scrub away cooked on food. The hand broom is used to sweep away small messes. No experience necessary.

Instructor: Eva Gaultney. Eva found her love for broom craft, weaving, and fiber design while earning an education degree at Berea College. She brings her love of math, learning, textiles, and craft to you in this fun workshop.

A music series for young children (ages 0-8). Celebrate with us, combining song, movement, and laughter. Live, interactive music by professional musician and educator Marcy Gregoire, accompanied by Hilary Lake, movement specialist. Puppets, Costumes, Musical Instruments and more will be a part of this weekly series. Learn a new song. Make a new friend! Come for one, any, or all the weeks!

World-renowned Galician bagpiper and “one of the living masters of the gaita” [Wall Street Journal], Cristina Pato teams up with acclaimed violinist, singer, and composer Mazz Swift, aka MazzMuse, who combines elements of various genres to create a rich, unique and diverse musical experience. Don’t miss this special collaboration!

Pat Keith said,

On Saturday, August 10 at 2:30 pm, we invite you to Rick Cernak’s presentation about Plainfield’s Betts Manganese Mine and the Massachusetts state gem Rhodonite, which can be found at the mine. Rick is a graduate of UMass, he is the Minerals Coordinator at The Betts Manganese Mine, a lifelong scholar of the sciences and natural history, local mining history researcher and author of the minerals program at Earthdance. The talk will be at the Village Church, 32 Main Street, Cummington.

A Shape Note Singing School will take place on August 17th at 2:30. No experience in Shape Note Singing necessary! All songs will be taught by an experienced teacher.

The museum is open Saturdays, offering guided tours through August 24 from 2-5 pm or by appointment. We are located at 41 Main Street in Cummington. For more information call 413-563-1981.

Roisin Quinn said,

Stroller Parade with Cooley Dickinson’s Midwives
August 15, 4-5pm Topcc: Healing up after birth, it can take a while.
Sign up and receive free entry pass to Look Park from July-September.http://www.lookpark.org/mile-markers

theresebrigley said,

Therese’s Trek 5
Bike Tour fundraiser and family Barbecue
On September 1, 2019 at Pettingill Memorial Field, 14 Main Street, Cummington.
20, 40 and 60 mile bike rides. Visit Therese’s Trek on BikeReg.com to learn how to pre-register.
Rides start at 8AM,
BBQ starts at noon
Live Music
Kid’s Games

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo Moon Landing!
Ed the Wizard and his Alien Balloon Twisting Workshop will appear at the Sandisfield Free Public Library on Saturday 24 August, blasting off at 1:00 p.m. Patrons will learn how to twist their own balloon Aliens; no balloon twisting experienced required.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Sandisfield Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.” This program is free and opened to the public but may require pre-registration. Please contact the library for more information: (413)258-4966

Affordable fun for the whole family happening August 16th – August 18th. Have a family fun day out in the beautiful hills of western Franklin County. Just 30 minutes from Greenfield, there are agricultural activities with many more events, attractions and music; all free with the low admission fee. General Admission $10, Seniors $8, Kids 12 & Under FREE. FREE PARKING with admission.

Daniel Shays said,

A Fundraiser for Wendell State Forest Alliance (WSFA) will be hosted by Leonore Alaniz at Leverett Crafts and Art (LCA) on August 9th – 12th from 1-5 PM. Leonore will be selling her original Botanical imPrints on paper and fabric. Pottery by Joy Friedman will also be available. 90% of proceeds benefit WSFA, a citizens 501(c) nonprofit volunteer organization working to protect the Wendell State Forest. Their goal of preserving 100 year old trees in Wendell has expanded to include the protection of all MA State Forest. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) intends to log healthy trees from approximately 30 acres of public land.

Embrace your inner Graham-ite – compete in a Graham cracker toss, build a Graham cracker tower, and challenge your Graham cracker-wielding dexterity. Learn about Sylvester Graham and how his philosophy influences the food on our plates, then participate in brain teasing events to put that knowledge to the test!

Splash your way through history as you make your own water-powered devices! Discover how water has shaped the history of Northampton by creating your own miniature water wheels, participating in a bucket brigade, and looking at 19th century Fire Department gear.

Sarah Johnson said,

Forbes Library
Hands on Nature Presents: An Introduction to the Night Sky
Wednesday, August 14 at 3:30 pm

In this program we will explore some of our basic constellations, along with the larger elements in our night sky. We will discover more about the moon and the milky way, and will develop a basic understanding of expansive sky above us. Participants will become more familiar with the evening sky, as they greatly increase their appreciation of it. A fun and informative overview of our Night Sky! For ages 4 and up. Presented by Heather Simpson of Hands on Nature. For more info, please visit: https://forbeslibrary.libcal.com/event/5239976

Sarah Johnson said,

The Springfield Symphony Orchestra visits the library! After an introduction to the instruments, participants get a chance to bow a violin, blow a horn or tap out a rhythm on a drum. Here’s your chance to try an instrument in a judgment-free zone that encourages exploration and excitement!

Artists in the 413 have come together to present 24 hours of performance including music, theater, dance, yoga and family programming. We pledge to use our art as a united act of resistance and solidarity. The festival aims to raise awareness of the desperate and inhumane state of Customs and Border Protection detention centers and the cruel policy of family separation.
Artists and staff are donating their time and talents so all proceeds can benefit asylum seekers and families in the current border crisis. Donations raised by this event will be sent to RAICES Action Network, Immigrant Families Together, and the Pioneer Valley Workers Center, organizations working in support of immigrants. #CloseTheCamps.

TICKETS: $10 for children 2-10 years old, and donation levels from $20 to $1,000. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. Your ticket gets you all-day access to performances and workshops. General Admission at any donation level.
If you cannot attend the event, please consider showing support by buying a ticket at the donation level of your choice.

Who says important historical figures have to be human? Create a paper version of some of Northampton’s most important (and furriest) residents while learning about how they shaped our history. Children and their caretakers will also search for animals in the exhibit, and do hands on activities.

Explore the world of the Northampton caterpillar! Touch, feed, sketch, and learn about silk moth caterpillars native to Northampton in Historic Northampton’s garden. Then, visit the exhibit and see a special display of clothing and objects related to the 19th century silk industry in Northampton. Unravel a cocoon while unraveling the past!

Book-to-Movie Viewing and Discussion for Youth. Saturday, July 20 11:00a.m.-1:00p.m. Carnegie Library. Join us for a Traprock program, hosted by the Youth Advisory Committee. The event includes first reading the book Wonder by R. J. Palacio. Copies of the book are available through the Traprock Children’s Book Collaborative at the library. The movie Wonder will be shown, followed by the discussion. Designed for ages 10-15. Refreshments will be served.

Puppet Show. No Strings Marionettes presents “Nick of Time.” Friday, Aug 2 10:30a.m. at Peskeomskut Park, weather permitting – bring a blanket to sit on! The show will be held inside the Carnegie Library if the weather is unpleasant. Sponsored by the Friends of Montague Public Libraries.

What would Emily Dickinson think of our world now? In a time-traveling twist, a young girl gets too curious about Emily’s famous white dress and accidentally unleashes powerful magic that brings the poet to the present day. Together, the two must find a way to get Emily back to her own time, and along the way they discover what it means to be an artistic woman across history.

Saturday, July 27th from 6:30-8:30 at Glendale Ridge Vineyard, come celebrate summer and the 40th Anniversary of The Northampton Survival Center!! To buy $15 advance tickets, go to 2019sunsetandvines.brownpapertickets.com. $20 tickets at the door. Kate Lorenz & The Constellations will be performing. Food trucks include the Bistro Bus, Little Trúc, Local Burgy and Chill Out. Bring your chairs, a blanket or even a picnic. Family friendly. We will also be raffling off an orange Electra Townie 7D Step-Through Women’s Bike from REI. Raffle tickets will be sold at the event and door prizes will be given out.

Yantra Yoga – The Tibetan Yoga of Movement with Nataly Nitsche and Max Leshchenko
July 12 – July 14, 2019
9:30am – 12:00pm & 3:00pm – 5:30pm
Learn the fundamentals of Yantra Yoga from authorized second and third level instructors. This course is ideal whether you are new, or you want to refresh, train or deepen your practice of Yantra Yoga.
International Dzogchen Community Tsegyalgar East
Vajra Hall, Buckland, MA
Cost
413 369-4153
For more information about course and instructors, and to register:https://www.tsegyalgar.org/tsegyalgar-east/events-calendar/yantra-yoga-intro/

Edible Perennial Gardening and Landscaping with Naturalist John Root
Saturday, July 20, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Janel Nockleby, Visitor Services Supervisor, 413-863-3221, janel.nockleby@mass.gov, http://www.greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org
Great Falls Discovery Center
Program is free.
In this presentation in the Great Hall, find out how to establish and maintain a variety of perennials, including trees, shrubs, vines, canes, and herbaceous plants, for harvests of fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Participants learn how to establish and care for these plants using organic methods of cultivation. Nutritional and medicinal benefits of the plants are discussed as well. Sponsored by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center.

The Creature Teachers Presents: The Nature of My Backyard Great Hall
Sunday, July 14
1-2 p.m.
Janel Nockleby, Visitor Services Supervisor, 413-863-3221, janel.nockleby@mass.gov, http://www.greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org
Great Falls Discovery Center
Program is free.
Come meet your wildlife neighbors! This popular program explores the lives of the creatures living in our own backyards. Meet some of the common animals that we encounter every day, such as porcupine, gray fox, woodchuck, flying squirrel, snapping turtle, milk snake, and more. Sponsored by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour
July 5, 12, 19 and 26, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
July 5: Eagles; July 12: Coyotes; July 19: Dragonflies; July 26: Skunks
For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult.
Janel Nockleby, Visitor Services Supervisor, 413-863-3221, janel.nockleby@mass.gov, http://www.greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org
Great Falls Discovery Center
Program is free.
Come learn about our wildlife neighbors who share our home in the Connecticut River Watershed. Program includes a story, interactive games, and a craft to introduce young children to wildlife along the river. Meet in the Great Hall. For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. Siblings and friends welcome.

Junior Rangers
July 8, 15, 22, and 29, 10:30—11:30 a.m.
For ages 8-11, with a parent or guardian.
Janel Nockleby, Visitor Services Supervisor, 413-863-3221, janel.nockleby@mass.gov, http://www.greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org
Great Falls Discovery Center
Program is free.
Earn your Mass Parks Junior Ranger Patch! Become a Connecticut River Watershed expert and find out who lives along the Canalside Rail Trail in Turners Falls. We offer a four-part nature and history education workshop on four Mondays for children ages 8 to 11. Friends/siblings welcome. Children with a parent/guardian meet at the Discovery Center welcome desk at 10:30 am. Junior Ranger programs are FREE. Space is limited so please register at (413) 863-3221.

Historic Northampton said,

Make the past your playground! Children and their caregivers can hear a history-themed story, and then build their own version of Northampton with maps, buildings, cars, and characters from different points in Northampton’s history. Come play in Northampton’s past.

Art Naturally: Discover Nature Through Story and Art
Saturday, June 29
10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Ages 6 and up. Adults and teens too!
Janel Nockleby, 413-863-3221, janel.nockleby@mass.gov, http://www.greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org
Great Falls Discovery Center
2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 01376
Program is free.
This is the first in a series of summer programs featuring stories and art, soaking up the natural world as we go. The storybook pages from The Woman who Outshone the Sun are on display in the Great Hall. Try your hand at wet-felting using an array of colorful fibers to create a fish and the river. For ages 6 and up, teens and adults too!

One Earth: Stories, Song, and Music with John Porcino
Saturday, June 29
1-2 p.m.
All ages.
Janel Nockleby, 413-863-3221, janel.nockleby@mass.gov, http://www.greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org
Great Falls Discovery Center
2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 01376
Program is free.
Come enjoy the good life with acclaimed performer John Porcino. In the Great Hall, his One Earth program will take us on a journey of story, song, music and sound that celebrates the beauty of the natural world and the joy of spending time together there. His performances spark stories to life with warmth, humor, a playful touch of audience participation, and with a message of caring for our planet and each other. John is co-editor of the book Spinning Tales, Weaving Hope: Stories of Peace, Justice and the Environment. Program is Free.

The public is invited to attend this indoor artist’s studio supply and surplus sale. Local artists have been invited to clear out their studios and will be selling, trading, or swapping supplies and materials that they no longer use or need. Some items offered for free! Potential items may include canvases, fiber, fabric, paints, frames, easels, beads, and tools. Artists may also sell seconds or discontinued art. Engage with the artists and talk with them about their creative process. Free to attend.

“Through the solar system and beyond!”… is exactly where Dinoman takes his audience in this fast paced exploration of the heavens. The eight classical planets are visited and investigated—as well as Pluto, gravity, and the incredible cold of space. Dinoman Space uses dinosaurs, meteors, comets, liquid air, and a goldfish to give students a truly unique view of the dinosaurs

This show starts with a birthday for Dinoman’s goldfish. He just happens to turn 23 years old on the day of the performance; and, of course, he wants a dinosaur extinction theme party! Who wouldn’t? From here it’s onward and upward through the solar system and beyond!

The general public is welcome to tour the studio, meet teachers, and enjoy mini ‘demo’ classes in yoga, qigong or fitness. Learn how our movement classes, holistic health coaching service, therapeutic yoga program and energy healing sessions can improve your health and wellbeing and transform your life. Locally crafted herbal products and handmade jewelry will be on sale. The studio is wheelchair accessible.
This event if free.

Sarah Johnson said,

This one-time introductory workshop will teach you how to massage, relax, and soothe your newborn to pre-crawling baby. All of the techniques will be demonstrated on a doll and you will practice the strokes on your own baby during the class.

Benefits of Infant Massage:
-Body Awareness
-Stimulation
-Helps to relieve the discomfort associated with gas and colic
-Promotes the strengthening of the digestive, respiratory and circulatory systems
-Helps to establish that special bond between parent and baby by focusing on important elements such as eye to eye and skin to skin contact
-Helps baby to have a more restful sleep
-Increases parents confidence and sensitivity to baby’s cues
-Relaxes and releases tension

Sheryl White of Baby Kneads has been teaching programs and working with families since 1999. She is a Certified Educator of Infant Massage, Baby Signer, Reiki Master and mother of three. Her role in these classes is to facilitate and help strengthen the connection between infant and caregiver through early communication.

Summer Reading Kick-Off: Mad Science presents “Fun-damental Forces” – Children of all ages and their caregivers are invited to this interactive event all about the fundamentals of moving science, including Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion and surprises including egg-tossing and space age rocket packs or hovercraft. This program is funded by a grant from the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) Network. Call 413-863-3214 if you have any questions.

The Northeast Fiddlers’ Convention is a family-friendly, traditionally-inspired old-time and bluegrass music gathering. Nestled in the secluded natural setting of a vast historic Shaker village, participants and appreciators of all levels are invited to jam, listen, compete, learn, pick, dance, and celebrate. Presented by Hancock Shaker Village and Oldtone Productions, this is a rich immersive weekend that preserves the rich old-time music culture on stage, in the barns, by the fields, and under the trees. The perfect weekend to escape daily life and let the music seep in.

Music and workshops from Down Hill Strugglers w/ John Cohen.
Camping available.
Film Screening Friday night.
Picking/Jamming encouraged all weekend long.
Band and instrument contests,
Saturday square dance called by Alex Kramer,
Gospel performance on Sunday,
Hancock Shaker Village demonstrations and workshops available for participants.

Dog Health, Safety, and First Aid
June 10, 6:30pm Westhampton Public Library

With our furry friends being outside more this time of year (and even joining us on vacation!) it helps to know how to keep them safe. Barbara of the Barking Basement in Westhampton will talk about Dog Health, Safety and First Aid. All are welcome to learn about how to care for their pets in the warmer weather.

Join us as we welcome the Westhampton Fire Department who will be bringing a fire engine to the library for storywalk fun! Enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. Featured book: “Fireman Small” by Wong Herbert Yee. Snacks and prizes, rain or shine.

Sponsored by the Hampshire Regional Coordinated Family & Community Engagement Grant.

Yantra Yoga – The Tibetan Yoga of Movement with Nataly Nitsche and Max Leshchenko
July 12 – July 14, 2019
9:30am – 12:00pm & 3:00pm – 5:30pm
Learn the fundamentals of Yantra Yoga from authorized second and third level instructors. This course is ideal whether you are new, or you want to refresh, train or deepen your practice of Yantra Yoga.
International Dzogchen Community Tsegyalgar East
Vajra Hall, Buckland, MA
Cost
413 369-4153
For more information about course and instructors, and to register:https://www.tsegyalgar.org/tsegyalgar-east/events-calendar/yantra-yoga-intro/

Meditations of the Heart with Lynn Newdome
June 8, 2019
10:00am to 12:00pm & 2:00pm to 4:30pm
Workshop focuses on the “Bodhisattva” practices of getting in touch with our nature of compassion.
Open to new and experienced meditators.
International Dzogchen Community Tsegyalgar East
18 Schoolhouse Road Conway, MA
413 369 4153
Cost
For more information and to register: https://www.tsegyalgar.org/tsegyalgar-east/events-calendar/lynn-newdome2/

For teen sound enthusiasts of all skill levels: learn how to record and edit audio! Make a piece of sound art or start a podcast! Recording equipment is provided, but feel free to bring a smartphone or tablet if you have one.

Sign up required. Visit us at the Young Adult and Children’s Desk, call (413) 587-1010 or email csieh@forbeslibrary.org.

We’re launching into orbit on Saturday, June 29th, with a Blastoff Party running from 10am to 1pm. Kids and teens can stop by Ground Control to sign up for Summer Reading, visit the Space Sounds Station to listen to records and make some extraterrestrial noise, and go on a writing adventure with Forbes Writer in Residence Art Middleton. The day will also feature face painting, a professional hula hooper, an astrologer, a performance by the Ukulele Strum Group, and the opportunity to contribute to the Forbes Library 125th anniversary time capsule!

Dakin Humane Society’s Barks & Brews, will return to Fort Hill Brewery in Easthampton, MA on Sunday, June 23, 2019 from 1:00pm – 4:00pm, with a special VIP preview hour starting at 12:00pm. This event is for ages 21+.

Dogs and their humans will enjoy even more activities at Barks & Brews this year including!

In 2017 and 2018, this event sold out in just two weeks, bringing in more than $33,000 each year in support of Dakin’s animals in need.

Hilltown Land Trust is hosting a guided vigorous hike through this property with forester Lincoln Fish to learn more about the property, forestry and bird habitat. We will visit a location in the woods that will be managed in the fall to stimulate new tree and plant growth for bird habitat.

This hike is scheduled for 3 hours, we will be hiking for over 3 miles there and back. The difficulty level of this hike is medium to high. If you own walking poles, bring them! Please remember to wear sturdy hiking shoes and also bring water, bug repellent, and a snack.

Granby Charter Days
You are invited to Granby Charter Days, a three-day community festival celebrating the actual birthday of Granby, Ma, incorporated 251 years ago. The festival takes place June 14-16, 2019 at Dufresne Park recreation area, Route 202, Granby. Alden Credit Union is proud to be the presenting sponsor. The celebration includes live bands such as Trailer Trash, King Kountry, Moose & The High Tops and The Side Effects. There will be tractor-truck-and-oxen pulls, a police department pancake breakfast, a fishing derby, a run, an American Legion beer tent, amusement rides, helicopter rides, a live volunteer militia encampment, all kinds of food and fun for the whole family.

HOPS AND POTS IS HERE!
Studio Potter – a non-profit in nearby Easthampton is pleased to announce HOPS & POTS on July 27! Our annual community fundraiser in partnership with Hilltown 6 Pottery Tour! With local beer, food, music, games, and pottery prizes from local artists. Tickets are cheap! Come out and have some fun for a good cause!

Play together and play together often! Outdoors and indoors opportunities! The Northampton Parents Center, Easthampton Family Center, and the Friday Hadley Playgroup find ways to continue the fun during the summertime. We’d love to see you there!

PARENT CAFE SERIES in Northampton —
Thursdays May 16, 23, and 30 from 5:30-7:00

Childcare and a lovely supper will be provided for free!

Being a great parent is part natural & part learned … what is a Parent Café?

We all need help sometimes. At the Parent Café we share information and ideas that help us take care of ourselves, build strong relationships with our kids and raise children who thrive. Together we can talk about the challenges of parenting and build the resilience we need to be good parents. We will create a community that supports us in keeping our children safe and our families strong!

Held in the beautiful sanctuary at Beit Ahavah/Florence Congregational Church, 130 Pine Street, Florence. Sample their uplifting, original music and videos here: “Oseh Shalom” https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RVCJxfEn1Y4

ANNUAL CLASSIC CAR SHOW
The public is invited to attend the Annual Classic Car Show at The American Inn on Saturday, June 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will take place on the grounds of The American Inn at One Sawmill Park, 802 College Highway, in Southwick, MA. The event will include lots of Classic Cars, local vendors including the Hot Oven Cookies Food Truck and the Westfield River Brewing Company beer truck. There will be a 50/50 raffle and grill, and classic music provided by MKM Productions. Everyone is welcome to this fun family-friendly event.

Back by popular demand, The “famous” Fort Carolers will perform original songs from The Sound of Music on Mother’s Day from 11:30 to 3:30. Three menus include a Mother’s Day Menu with Lobster Rolls, Cast-Iron Seared Swordfish, Seared Scallops, French Toast and Pistachio Crusted Cod; a special Maifest Menu, available all month long; and The Fort’s regular menu too.
Reservations: 413-734-7475 or online at student prince.com
Please note: The Fort Carolers will perform original songs from The Sound of Music on these dates: May 10-12 and May 16-18.

Mr. Liam & Friends present an energetic show filled with drums, ukulele, puppets, and comedy as he plays old favorites and silly parodies!

Mr. Liam (Liam Hurley) is proud to make the Pioneer Valley his new home after many years in NYC. He is one half of the popular kids’ music duo The Big Littles and the former drummer for Josh Ritter & the Royal City Band.

(4 PDPs) Learn about Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), the principles of which guide the educational programming at the Museum. Designed as a way of teaching viewers to find meaning and pleasure in works of art, these strategies are based on the work of cognitive psychologist Abigail Housen and veteran museum educator, Philip Yenawine. Participants will be introduced to Housen’s theory of aesthetic development, discuss and analyze the strategies, experiment with the method in small groups, and discuss ways in which these strategies can enhance teaching and reinforce the state standards in Language Arts.
Instructor: Courtney Waring

Adult workshop, ages 16 and up.
Join The Carle’s Art Educators in this evening workshop to create your own hand-made sketchbook, notebook, or journal using found, hand-painted, and recycled papers. Learn how to bind and cover books using the signature stitch and stab binding technique.

The Invisible Art of Children’s Book Design with Carol Goldenberg
May 25, 2019
1:00pm
Free with Museum Admission

Many people express surprise when told that all books, including those for children, are designed. Yet, this is an appropriate response, as book design and typography are at their most successful when not immediately apparent to the reader. Award-winning book designer Carol Goldenberg likes to call this “invisible art.” Using examples from a long career designing many Caldecott-winning picture books for children, Goldenberg will take participants through the complex process of designing a book, from manuscript to the printed edition.

Carol Goldenberg designed five Caldecott Medal picture books and two Caldecott Honor books. She studied illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design, and has a freelance book design business in Newton, MA.

Recommended for ages 16 and up
Meet author-illustrator David Small as he talks about his graphic novel, Home After Dark. Small’s first graphic novel since his best-selling and award-winning memoir, Stitches, Home After Dark delves into the impact of adolescence devoid of positive male models and the often-murky moral decisions boys must make at school, around their community, and inside the home.

David Small, author of the #1 New York Times best-selling Stitches, is the recipient of the Caldecott Medal, two Caldecott Honors, the Christopher Medal, the E. B. White Award, and is a National Book Award Finalist. He and his wife, author Sarah Stewart, live in Michigan.

Book signing to follow program. Can’t make it to the event? You may reserve signed books online or contact The Carle Bookshop at shop@carlemuseum.org.

Ages 6-12 with accompanying adult
Create a series of prints in this facilitated program designed to introduce printmaking techniques including collagraph, monotype, and stenciling. Maximum number of children per adult is 3, cost is per child, accompanying adults are free and invited to join.

Adult workshop, ages 16 and up
How do you sketch a picture book idea? How do you write a story that is told both with words and images? Join picture book author and New York Times bestselling illustrator Claudia Rueda in this intensive six-hour workshop. You’ll explore the most important elements of visual writing and learn how to plan a picture book by using a storyboard and building a picture book dummy.
Please bring a bag lunch.
See Workshops for Adults & Educators to sign up: https://shop.carlemuseum.org/category/workshops-classes/adults-educators

A Kite for Moon, co-written by New York Times bestselling author Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple, and illustrated by award winning artist Matt Phelan, tells the heartfelt story about a young boy’s fascination and unlikely friendship with the moon. Dedicated to Neil Armstrong, this book pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of the first US moon landing. After the storytime, guests will create their own flying kites, machines, and orbiting planets to add to Bobbie’s Meadow.

Book signing to follow program. Can’t make it to the event? You may reserve signed books online or contact The Carle Bookshop at shop@carlemuseum.org.

Discover a farm like no other in Perrin Hendrick’s debut picture book, This Is the Farm. From a sea-faring goat to a space-bound sheep, guests will delight in this whimsical story of wondrous animals and their fantastic adventures.

Book signing to follow program. Can’t make it to the event? You may reserve signed books online or contact The Carle Bookshop at shop@carlemuseum.org.

The Carle is thrilled to welcome former Trinkett Clark intern and author/illustrator Ashley Benham Yazdani for her debut picture book, A Green Place to Be: The Creation of Central Park. Journey back to 1858 and learn about the visionaries who transformed a barren swampland into New York City’s Central Park, a green gift for everyone.

Book signing to follow program. Can’t make it to the event? You may reserve signed books online or contact The Carle Bookshop at shop@carlemuseum.org.

William Steig’s Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
May 4 – December 1, 2019

Come see the latest exhibition at The Carle!

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble has held a special place in readers’ hearts for 50 years. Contemporary illustrators often cite the bok as their greatest childhood influence. The Carle is fortunate to have in its permanent collection Steig’s preliminary sketches, story boards, and dummy books related to the seminal publication, thanks to the generosity of Jeanne Steig who donated over 1,000 artworks by her late husband. The artist’s daughter Maggie Steig is lending the original published illustrations along with her father’s paints, tools, personal family photographs, and his prized Caldecott Medal. The Carle designed a charming tableau vivant of Steig’s picnic scene–including a “Sylvester boulder”–to engage visitors of all ages.

This exhibition is made possible through the generous support of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.

Sarah Johnson said,

For teen sound enthusiasts of all skill levels: learn how to record and edit audio! Make a piece of sound art or start a podcast! Recording equipment is provided, but feel free to bring a smartphone or tablet if you have one.

Sarah Johnson said,

Join us on the second Friday of every month for an hour of Montessori activities, led by Laura Frogameni of the Montessori School of Northampton. This guided exploration of Montessori materials and lessons is fun for ages 0-6 and gives curious parents the chance to ask questions.

Sarah Johnson said,

Are you an aspiring writer? Join us at the tables past the fish tanks. We’ll warm up with a few writing prompts, have some snacks, and get writing! If you feel comfortable sharing your work, we’ll have time for that at the end of the meeting. Feel free to bring writing projects you’re currently working on! For writers ages 8 and up.

Sarah Johnson said,

Review research and benefits, learn and practice several signs, and learn how to teach American Sign Language to your baby! You will learn everything that you need to know to get started right away.

Benefits of Baby Sign Language:
-Reduces frustration for everyone
-Gives babies the ability to express themselves before they can speak
-Accelerates babies’ development of speech
-Enhances early literacy skills
-Can be more content
-Deepens bonding

Sheryl White of Baby Kneads has been teaching programs and working with families since 1999. She is a Certified Educator of Infant Massage, Baby Signer, Reiki Master and mother of three. Her role in these classes is to facilitate and help strengthen the connection between infant and caregiver through early communication.

Sarah Johnson said,

About the book: On the last night of summer, Emma and her Maine game warden father rescue a small domestic rabbit stuck in a fence; the very next day Emma starts fifth grade after years of being home schooled, excited and apprehensive about making new friends, but she is paired with Jack, a hyperactive boy, who does not seem to fit in with anyone–except that they share a love of animals, which draws them together, because of the rabbit.

Guyette Farm Earth Day Celebration!
Saturday, April 27
10am-12pm
Plainfield
Free and open to all

Join Franklin Land Trust Board and Staff members for an Earth Day celebration at Guyette Farm. Take home a free tree to plant in your yard, build a blue bird box to attract more birds to your neighborhood, and go for a hike on the Guyette Farm nature trails. Come prepared to be outside! Light refreshments will be served. Kids and families welcome. RSVP Requested.

Maifest Block Party
Maifest is a colorful, joyous tradition in Germany that celebrates the arrival of spring where food is plentiful and spirits flow freely. The tradition unfolds in Springfield, MA with the Maifest Block Party on May 17 & 18, presented by The Student Prince & The Fort Restaurant at 8 Fort Street. The two-day event will take place outdoors on Fort Street and inside the restaurant. A generous portion of proceeds from the event will benefit Rays of Hope and its mission to find a cure for breast cancer. The event kicks off on Friday, May 17 with the Ceremony of Maifest and the tapping of the ceremonial keg. Live music on Friday includes the Berkshire Mountain Wanderers from 5-6 and the Right On Band from 7-10:30. On Saturday, Kyle Langlois performs from 5-6:30 and Unforgettable Fire is on stage from 7-11. Admission is $20. Tickets available at the gate and online at: https://www.studentprince.com. Must be 21 to drink. Guests are encouraged to wear pink to show support for Rays of Hope! And check out the amazing Maifest menu throughout May!

The Passover story reminds us to take only what we need- a vital concept to reducing food insecurity and food waste. PJ Our Way is partnering with Rachel’s Table and Art Always on Art to End Hunger where 8-12 year olds will make upcycled art inspired by these issues, and help Rachel’s Table relieve hunger in our community.

Participants can choose to submit their art to a Juried art show with prizes presented on May 22 at Sinai Temple during Rachel’s Table’s Bountiful Bowls gala, where funds raised will support their efforts to donate more than 400,000 pounds of food to more than 40 agencies each year.

Join us to make art, explore the Jewish concept of taking only what you need, and do your part to help reduce food waste and food insecurity in the Pioneer Valley!

Family Literacy Nights at Abbott Memorial School in Florida. Thursday, April 11 and 25 from 4:00-5:00 pm Join us for two evenings of reading and fun with books at Abbott Memorial Preschool. The event will be in the cafeteria of Abbott Memorial School, 56 North County Road. Activities are appropriate for families with children ages 3-5, siblings welcome.

Touch a Truck Wednesday, April 17 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. Where: The Parking lot behind The Family Center, 210 State Street, North Adams. Touch a Truck is an annual free, fun community event for the whole family. Featuring big trucks and vehicles to explore. Children will have a chance to see and learn about a fire truck, police car and ambulance. Other vehicles to explore will be a school bus, tractors and construction vehicles

Enjoy your Easter Sunday Dinner out this year on April 21 from 11 to 6 at The Student Prince and The Fort Restaurant, 8 Fort Street, Springfield, MA. The restaurant is hosting a traditional Easter celebration. Start with appetizers such as potato pancakes, giant German pretzels or camembert cheese. Dinner entrees include the regular menu, plus Braised Lamb or Pork Shanks, Bockwurst, BBQ Lamb Ribs, Jagerschnitzel, Goulash, the Wurstplatte with a assortment of sausages, a stew called Geschnetzeltes, salmon, a smoked pork chop called Kassler Rippchen, and of course, a variety of Schnitzels, and there’s dessert!
Call 413-734-7475 for reservations.

Sarah Johnson said,

Do you write poetry or short stories? Adventure, romance, comedy or sci-fi? Do you want help with revisions or do you want to try something totally new? Then bring your rough drafts and empty notebooks to Forbes. Drop in on Fridays for funky creative prompts and space to write!

Sarah Johnson said,

Teen Book Club
April 18, 2019 from 3:30-4:15-Free!
Forbes Library Children’s Dept.
Community Room

Come for a chat and a snack! This month, we’ll be reading Internment, by Samira Ahmed.

About the book:

“Rebellions are built on hope.

Set in a horrifying near-future United States, seventeen-year-old Layla Amin and her parents are forced into an internment camp for Muslim American citizens.

With the help of newly made friends also trapped within the internment camp, her boyfriend on the outside, and an unexpected alliance, Layla begins a journey to fight for freedom, leading a revolution against the internment camp’s Director and his guards.

Special Storytime: Books in Translation
April 30, 2019 at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
10:30am – 11:00am
Free with Museum Admission

While we can use books to travel to other places without leaving home, books themselves can also travel thanks to translators. Come find out what happens when a book leaves its home language and moves into another. This special storytime, facilitated by UMass students in the Practicing Literary Translation course, aims to cultivate an awareness of literary translation.

This program is offered in conjunction with the annual celebration of Día. Also known as El día de los niños/ El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day), Día is a nationally recognized initiative committed to linking children and their families to diverse books, languages, and cultures.

Ages 9-14, drop-off program
Join comic artists Dan Nott and Daryl Seitchik in a workshop designed to celebrate creativity and the exhibition Out of the Box: The Graphic Novel Comes of Age. Using the artwork in the gallery as inspiration, participants will be guided through the process of crafting characters, environments and stories to create their own page of finished comics.

Meet Jerry Craft
April 27, 2019 at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
1:00pm
Free with Museum Admission

Meet author-illustrator Jerry Craft as he talks about his book, New Kid, a timely, honest graphic novel about starting over at a new school where diversity is low and the struggle to fit in is real. Craft will also talk about his journey from self-publishing to mainstream publishing.

Jerry Craft is an author-illustrator who has worked on numerous picture books, graphic novels, and middle grade novels. Jerry is the creator of Mama’s Boyz, an award-winning syndicated comic strip. He has won five African American Literary Awards, and is a cofounder of the Schomburg Center’s Annual Black Comic Book Festival.

Can’t make it to the event? You may reserve signed books online or contact The Carle Bookshop at shop@carlemuseum.org.

Special Storytime with Jamie L. B. Deenihan
April 20, 2019 at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
2:00pm
Free with Museum Admission

Jamie L. B. Deenihan’s debut picture book, When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree, is a clever story celebrating the pleasures of patience, hard work, nature, community…and putting down the electronic devices for just a while. Join us for this special storytime as we celebrate this book’s birthday, and also the author’s!

Book signing to follow program. Can’t make it to the event? You may reserve signed books online or contact The Carle Bookshop at shop@carlemuseum.org.

Special Storytime: Susan Verde
April 19, 2019 at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
10:30am
Free with Museum Admission

Author Susan Verde’s I Am Human shows it’s okay to make mistakes while also emphasizing the power of good choices by offering a kind word or saying “I’m sorry.” Verde will lead a guided meditation in Bobbie’s Meadow after the storytime.

Book signing to follow program. Can’t make it to the event? You may reserve signed books online or contact The Carle Bookshop at shop@carlemuseum.org.

Books before Bedtime PJ Party
April 18, 2019 at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Free with Museum Admission

Come see the Eric Carle Makes a Book exhibition in your PJs, and don’t forget to bring along your favorite stuffed animal! In addition to bookmaking, storytime, films, and milk and cookies, guests can get drawings of their stuffed animal by local artists. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Special Storytime: Robin Riding
April 18, 2019 at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
1:00pm
Free with Museum Admission

“Do you suppose, way down deep, there are mermaids fast asleep?” Join author Robin Riding as she reads from her new book, Mermaids Fast Asleep, a stunning and lyrical bedtime picture book that looks at how mermaids sleep in the sea. Riding’s storytime will conclude with a musical puppet show!

Book signing to follow program. Can’t make it to the event? You may reserve signed books online or contact The Carle Bookshop at shop@carlemuseum.org.

Mass Birds of Prey with Tom Ricardi
April 17, 2019 at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
11:00am
Free with Museum Admission

Bobbie’s Meadow
Get a close-up look at owls and other birds of prey with Tom Ricardi, a licensed rehabilitator and wildlife biologist, and learn about the great work being done at the Mass Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Facility, which cares for injured birds. Then visit the exhibition Illustrated Owls: A Who’s Hoo from the Museum’s Vault following the program!

Special Storytime: Mordicai Gerstein
April 16, 2019 at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
1:00pm
Free with Museum Admission

Join Caldecott Medal winner Mordicai Gerstein as he reads from his new book, I Am Hermes!, a brilliant, hilarious graphic novel about the mischievous, fun-loving messenger of the gods. Gerstein will also discuss his creative process, give a drawing demonstration, and share original artwork.

Book signing to follow program. Can’t make it to the event? You may reserve signed books online or contact The Carle Bookshop at shop@carlemuseum.org.

The Pineapple Project
April 16, 2019 at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
11:00am
$5 (Members $4.50)

The Pineapple Project is an original theater piece for kids ages 3-8 and their caregivers that explores the gender creativity in all of us. Written and performed by Mal Malme and Becca A. Lewis, The Pineapple Project is an interactive thirty-minute play that is a “fun, heartfelt way to open up conversation about gender with kids and families.”

“We learned that people can wear whatever they want and play with whatever they want and be whatever they want.” — testimonial

Special Storytime: Aaron Becker
April 6, 2019 at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
2:00pm
Free with Museum Admission

Join Caldecott Honor artist Aaron Becker as he reads from his new book You Are Light. an elegant ode to the phenomenon of light. Becker will discuss his creative process and invite guests to create their own light inspired art project using translucent papers. Book signing to follow program.

Can’t make it to the event? You may reserve signed books online or contact The Carle Bookshop at shop@carlemuseum.org.

For teen sound enthusiasts of all skill levels: learn how to record and edit audio! Make a piece of sound art or start a podcast! Recording equipment is provided, but feel free to bring a smartphone or tablet if you have one.

Sign up required. Visit us at the Young Adult and Children’s Desk or call (413) 587-1010.

More than a typical building workshop, ImagArena combines the spirit of an art program, the materials of a building workshop, and the framework of a video game to provide an experience that engages everyone.

Join us after closing time in the deserted Children’s and YA department for an escape room. The library basement will transform under challenges to test your mind and your friendships. Completely free, candy and pizza provided.

This event is for teens. Only those ages 13-18 are eligible. Sign-ups are required. Call 413-587-1010, email ehill@forbeslibrary.org, or sign-up in person at the library.

Anna Sobel said,

Please join us Sunday April 7th for our 2nd annual Syrup Stampede at Look Park. Registration and check in begin at 830. Race starts at 10:00 with a 2k walk/fun run following right behind it. 50 yard dash kiddie fun run available as well. Or just come for our pancake breakfast with local maple syrup. Price $10-$35 depending on activity. Pancake breakfast included with all race registrations. All proceeds benefit Empty Arms Bereavement Support https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Florence/SyrupStampede5k

Anna Sobel said,

Join Pioneer Valley Mothers (and KIDS) Out Front for an insider view of our State House during school break. This event is family friendly with activities planned for younger children as well as learning opportunities for teens and adults, including the legislative priorities that Mothers Out Front is working to pass this session. We welcome families to join us!

The day begins with a private tour. Then activity choices will include:

DURING APRIL SCHOOL VACATION
Tuesday through Friday
9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Conway, MA
Ages 7 and up

Experience the AWAKENING of Spring!

While spending lots of time outdoors, we will

* notice new growth all around us, while learning about edible and medicinal plants,
* notice new birds…establishing territories.

There is so much happening during Spring.

By practicing nature awareness, we will learn to look deeper and through our tracking skills and the ability to be quiet in the forest, we may even see some of the young wildlife. Animals are very busy this time of year, and it is a great time to actually see wildlife.

We will also wander and learn what to do if lost, learn basic wilderness living skills (like shelter making, fire making, cordage), and develop our ability to be comfortable in the woods. Wherever you are, there is home.

Bonus: In the past, we’ve seen, as a group, baby foxes (kits)…maybe well see them again!

…hanging out and making new friends…while being in the woods…practicing and learning new skills…nothing quite like it!

Dogs and their humans can walk or run to help other dogs at the 1st Annual Pawsome 5k Run/Walk, Saturday, May 11, at Alden Credit Union, 175 State Street, Belchertown, MA. Proceeds benefit Kane’s Krusade, an organization that assists elderly, unemployed, disabled, veterans and single parents with care for their dogs. Registration is from 7 to 8:15, walk is at 9. Register online at http://www.pawsome5k.com. Donation: $30 in advance, $35 at event. Sponsored by Alden Credit Union.

Come see Fractured, a circus production put on by NECCA’s own year 3 students!

This is the culmination of three years of professional education at the New England Center for Circus Arts, and these are the artists writing the next chapter of Circus in America. Revel in the nuances of acrobatic theater that is at once otherworldly and accessibly human as you forget what is possible and immerse yourself in the joy of the human spirit in motion.

Fractured is a performance about repetition and what it sometimes takes to break free from a cycle. The performers ultimately find themselves not running in circles, but spiraling out into the fearful, inspiring, beautiful unknown.

Mark Hart is an outstanding educator who clearly embodies the dharma principles that he teaches. His background in Western and Eastern Religion is both wide and deep. The most striking aspect about Mark’s teaching, is how the content is not confined to the discursive message he is offering. We receive a continuous model of what life could be like if we truly respond to each moment as it is: clearly, spontaneously, and without prior expectation.

Comment by: Scot Brackenridge, Ph.D.

Former Visiting Assistant Professor and Instructor in Eastern Religions

Eckerd College. Alfred University, Long Island University, University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Parent Advisory Council of the Palmer Monson Family Network will host their Family Fun Night and Raffle Fundraiser on Saturday, March 23rd from 5:30-7 pm at Old Mill Pond Elementary School in Palmer. This is a family friendly event. All are invited to come enjoy a FREE concert by children’s performer Roger Tincknell. Also, thanks to the generosity of local businesses, there are some great prizes to be won in the raffle, including an autographed photo of Boston Red Sox Jackie Bradley, Jr. and baseball signed by Dustin Pedroia, Springfield Thunderbird tickets, Museum passes, YMCA membership, and plenty of local businesses! Monetary donations for the entertainment gladly accepted!
Raffle tickets are $1 for 1 ticket, $5 for 6 tickets, $10 for 14 tickets and $20 for 30 tickets. For more information call the Network at 413-283-6426 or ‘like’ us on our Facebook page “Friends of the Palmer Monson Family Network.”
The money raised supports the programming and events held at the Network and within the community.

Family Center said,

Ooey Gooey STEAM Night
Tuesday, March 26th – 6:30-7:30 pm at The Williamstown Youth Center, 66 School Street. Join The Family Center for fun hands on messy art and science activities for young children. FREE & Drop-In Event! For families with children 1 to 8 years of age. Siblings always welcome.

Come join in expressing the wonderful spirits and gifts of young children — our community’s way to celebrate the national Week of the Young Child!

A morning celebration of young children and their exuberant play in all dimensions, inside and outside. Fire truck and spray house, school bus, DPW truck, police car to play in outside, and many activities, from crawling to planting seeds to building with giant blocks inside the gymnasium! Free car seat checks from the Northampton Police Department.

Join Beit Ahavah and CBI for viewing parts of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” with discussion and personal reflections led by Rabbi Riqi Kosovske & Rabbi Justin David on Mister Rogers & Tikkun Olam.

Rabbi Riqi attended OSRUI, the Reform summer camp in Wisconsin for many summers with Mister Rogers’ guest and life-long friend Jeff Erlanger and his family, who co-stars in an important Mister Rogers episode centered on Jeff being in a wheelchair. Rabbi Riqi reflects on Jeff’s impact and how he affected Mister Rogers, and camp, and Fred Rogers’ worldview to “Be tikkun olam.”

Tot Shabbat Family Service is the magical, musical hour on the 1st Friday of the month, celebrating Shabbat and holidays for families with kids 0-6 & their friends… led by the fabulous Marlene Rachelle 🎸with Rabbi Riqi Kosovske!

COSTUMES
JUSTICE FAIR FUN
(activities, booths, justice for all ages… run by Teens & Tweens.)
& JUSTICE JUSTICE SHALL YOU PURSUE…
WE are furnishing an APARTMENT for a Congolese family arriving March 27!
A mom + 3 young kids! See the list below or on our website, and bring what you can!

Kidleidoscope Story Hour—Bobcats
Friday, March 8
10:30 – 11:30 am
Come learn about our wildlife neighbors who share our home in the Connecticut River Watershed. Program includes a story, interactive games, and a craft to introduce young children to wildlife along the river. Meet in the Great Hall. For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. Siblings and friends welcome.
Janel Nockleby, 413-863-3221, janel.nockleby@mass.gov, greatfallsdiscoverycenter.orgg
Great Falls Discovery Center
Free.

Half Day Discovery Day: Precipitation
Wednesday, March 6
1-2 pm
Gill-Montague school students get a half day off (Maybe your school district has the same schedule too?). Why not discover something new? Join Olivia and Sam from the Student Conservation Association for a fun filled hour of precipitation. Learn all about the flow of the water cycle and the different forms that water takes. For ages 6 to 12, accompanied by an adult, but all are welcome to join us for stories, activities, and crafts!
Janel Nockleby, 413-863-3221, janel.nockleby@mass.gov, http://www.greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org
Great Falls Discovery Center
Free.

Hilltown Land Trust will be hosting a demonstration and Q&A about environmentally and economically sustainable oxen logging! Seventh-generation oxen teamster and licensed forester, Tom Jenkins, will be demonstrating techniques for harvesting timber with draft animals followed by a discussion about sustainable forestry practices, the invasive pest emerald ash borer, the Chapter 61 program and more.

$10 fee for Hilltown Land Trust members and $15 for nonmembers. Kids are free! Become a member of HLT for $50 and get one adult admission free to this event!

Hilltown Land Trust, Kestrel Land Trust, Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary and Westhampton Public Library are pleased to present an event with local children’s book authors Heidi Stemple and Jane Yolen. This successful mother/daughter team will discuss three of their most recent books – Counting Birds, Crow Not Crow and Fly With Me. In addition to their delightful bantering related to their families love of birds Heidi and Jane will read excerpts from these books. Also, Heidi will demonstrate her exceptional owl calls and offer the audience a chance to practice their own.

This event is free but donations to any of the collaborating organizations are always welcome. Westhampton Public Library is wheelchair accessible. RSVP is not necessary but always helpful.

Special Storytime with Lesléa Newman
March 2, 2019
2:00pm at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Free with Museum Admission

Gittel and her mother were supposed to immigrate to America together, but when her mother is stopped by the health inspector, Gittel must make the journey alone. How will she find her family? Both a heart-wrenching and heartwarming story, Gittel’s Journey offers a fresh perspective on the immigration journey to Ellis Island. The book includes an author’s note explaining how Gittel’s story is based on the journey to America taken by Lesléa Newman’s grandmother and family friend.

Book signing to follow program. Can’t make it to the event? You may reserve signed books online or contact The Carle Bookshop at shop@carlemuseum.org.

(3 PDPs) Learn about The Whole Book Approach and discover the difference between reading with children and reading to children. Participants will explore how to evaluate the picture book as an art form with the goal of using this critical engagement with the picture book as a platform for interactive reading experiences. Registration includes a copy of Reading Picture Books with Children by Megan Dowd Lambert.

Very Hungry Caterpillar Day
March 24, 2019
12:00pm – 4:00pm at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Free with Museum Admission

Celebrate the Caterpillar’s special day at The Carle! Throughout the day, you can enjoy a special art studio project, Caterpillar food scavenger hunt, films, storytimes, and a visit from the Caterpillar Lab!

Come celebrate the photographers from our Fall Photo Contest! The four winning photographs will be framed with a generous donation from Michelson Galleries. All of the photographs will be displayed for viewing.
Please bring a pie or other desert to add to the beverages and treats Hilltown Land Trust provides. Bullitt Reservation is wheelchair accessible.

NECCA’s annual fundraiser, Circus Spectacular, brings world-class entertainment to Brattleboro! The show stars circus artists from around the world including award-winning performers from Canada, England, Europe, and the USA. This year’s lineup includes Diane Wasnak (Cirque du Soleil, Pickle Family Circus), Michael Trautman (Broadway, Big Apple Circus), Lindsey Culbert-Olds (Cirque du Soleil, Circus Monti), and mime extraordinaire Mario Diamond. Join us for oohs, ahh, and laughs all to raise funds for outreach and scholarships. At the Latchis Theatre in downtown Brattleboro March 2 at 7:30pm March 3 at 1pm. Tickets $15 – $50. More info at http://www.necenterforcircusarts.org or by calling 802-254-9780.

Send in stories of a great friendship and you’ll be entered to win a Friends Day Out in Amherst! Free Matinee at Amherst Cinema and a free brunch or lunch at a participating restaurant (Lone Wolf and Johnny’s Tavern are on board). We need stories by Feb. 20 and six will be selected. Email us at info@amherstdowntown.com or message us on FB.

Adult workshop, ages 16 and up
Join artist B. Z. Reily in this friendly workshop designed to get pencil to paper. Take inspiration from the exhibition, Out of the Box: The Graphic Novel Comes of Age. Have fun drawing and pick up tips and skills along the way.

The show must go on in this new hip-hop musical, Showtime with Shakespeare: A Magic Tree House Adventure. When the Magic Tree House whisks Jack and Annie to Elizabethan England they meet William Shakespeare himself–one of the greatest writers of all time! But Mr. Shakespeare is having a hard time with some of the actors in his latest show. Are Jack and Annie ready to make a big entrance? Or will it be curtains for Shakespeare? This production is appropriate for elementary and middle school aged children and family audiences.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Museum Admissions Desk or by calling 413-559-6336.

Special Storytime with Adam Gudeon
February 19, 2019
10:30am
Free with Museum Admission

In Adam Gudeon’s Peeper and Zeep, two accidental friends use innovation, trial and error, and some help from an unusual acquaintance to find their way home again. Through it all, Peeper the bird and Zeep the alien learn the meaning of friendship and family.

Book signing to follow program. Can’t make it to the event? You may reserve signed books online or contact The Carle Bookshop at shop@carlemuseum.org.

Pathlight’s Autism Connections 29th Annual Autism Conference. Over 400 professionals, educators, and families will come together for a day of education, inspiration, and connection! Keynote will be followed by morning and afternoon breakout sessions.

April 23, 2019 at the Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel in Springfield.
Doors open at 8:00 a.m. with the Exhibitor Showcase, breakfast and sign-in and the conference ends at 4:00 p.m. Register atautismconnectionsma.org.

Danny said,

This is an intro-level class for any inspired grower, chef, “foodie” or wannabe seeking to reliably produce amazing, nutrient-dense food, around the calendar, on backyard plots, rooftops, in containers, passive solar hoophouses, etc., under a variety of “marginal” and real-life conditions.

Inspired both by permaculture principles, dumpster diving/gleaning, as well as 20+ years of organic gardening, diversified grower Danny Botkin will explain and demonstrate uniquely low-tech, opportunistic growing practices (“strategic minimalism”), including low-till soil building, intensive “bunch” propagation, as well as a variety of other, non-traditional, hand-powered, season-extension methods, available to anyone.

Story Time. Wednesdays 10:15a.m. – 11:30a.m. at the Carnegie Library 201 Avenue A, Turners Falls.
Young children of all ages and their families are invited to come and enjoy stories, crafts, music, activities and snacks, with Karen Wartel.

Music and Movement for Young Children- Thursdays 10:00a.m. – 10:45.am. Carnegie Library, Jan. through April.
The weekly Music and Movement series with Tom Carroll and Laurie Davidson.

LEGOS at the Library. Friday, February 22, 11:00am – 1:00pm. Carnegie Library. 201 Avenue A, Turners Falls.
Children of all ages and their caregivers are invited to come build and play with library LEGOS. We have LEGOS of all sizes.

Family Movie: Saturday, February 23, 11:00a.m.-1:00pm. Carnegie Library.
Families are invited to come watch a movie at the library. The movie is Rated PG. Snacks will be served.

Valentine Party. Saturday, February 9, 10:30am – 12:00pm. Carnegie Library. Make fun, valentine-inspired crafts, cards and other heart-themed projects. Refreshments will be served. Designed for children of all ages and their families/caregivers. This event if FREE.

Braille Storytime and Meet a Guide Dog!
Enjoy a Braille Storytime with Barbara Black, and meet her guide dog, Miss Pie! Barbara will talk about a day-in-the-life for her dog, share a favorite book, and answer questions. We’ll also have a collection of Braille children’s books available for check out. Great for ages 2-8! Free.

HUNTINGTON – Looking for something to do during school vacation week? The Springfield Symphony Orchestra visits the Huntington Public Library on Thursday February 21, 2019 at 2:30pm at 7 East Main Street, Huntington. After an introduction to the instruments, participants get a chance to bow a violin, blow a horn or tap out a rhythm on a drum. Here’s your chance to try an instrument in a judgment-free zone that encourages exploration and excitement! Signup at the Library, tel. 413-512-5206. FREE

HUNTINGTON – The Huntington Library’s February Artist of the Month is Mimi Ross. The Library will have a FREE opening reception for Mimi on Friday February 15th from 5-7pm at the Library on 7 East Main Street, Huntington. All are welcome. Artist’s Bio: “Photographer Mimi Caban Ross is a passionate and creative lover of the Creator and Creative Expression in many forms, a Healthy Lifestyle Coach, Workshop Developer and Presenter, Writer, Singer/Songwriter, Pianist, Public Speaker and Social Media Strategist who has lived in and loved Huntington since 2007 but grew up all over the country. Mimi has loved photography since she was a kid and a few years ago when she began helping her husband exhibit at area Art Shows, she decided to begin exhibiting her own work as well. She particularly loves images in the Hilltowns, color and patterns in nature and in architecture, and capturing life as she travels throughout North America. See something you want? Let’s Talk! Mimi & Friends Music is also available to play at YOUR Art Opening or other event. You may contact Mimi at theedenprojectmimi@gmail.com or on Facebook at Mimi Caban Ross or Instagram @meemthebeam or 413.667.5146

HUNTINGTON – The Huntington Public Library holds Storytime at 11:00am on the first and the third Saturdays of the month, including a story-related craft and a snack. The Huntington Public Library is located at 7 East Main Street in Huntington. No signups required. Telephone 413-512-5206. FREE

This month is a celebration of our beloved fish, Paco, in the Children’s Department

Show and tell from the Forbes Library’s Collection on Third Thursdays at 3pm in the Coolidge Museum

Join us as this monthly series kicks off a year long celebration of the 125th anniversary of Forbes Library! September 2018-October 2019 topics will feature materials from the collections focusing on the construction and history of the building, staff, trustees, donors and our community.

Join us for the first monthly meeting of our new Kids’ Book Club, where we’ll discuss Sweep by Jonathan Auxier. Feel free to come even if you haven’t finished the book. Snacks will be provided!

About the book: It’s been five years since the Sweep disappeared. Orphaned and alone, Nan Sparrow had no other choice but to work for a ruthless chimney sweep named Wilkie Crudd. She spends her days sweeping out chimneys. The job is dangerous and thankless, but with her wits and will, Nan has managed to beat the deadly odds time and time again.

When Nan gets stuck in a chimney fire, she fears the end has come. Instead, she wakes to find herself unharmed in an abandoned attic. And she is not alone. Huddled in the corner is a mysterious creature—a golem—made from soot and ash.

Sweep is the story of a girl and her monster. Together, these two outcasts carve out a new life—saving each other in the process. Lyrically told by one of today’s most powerful storytellers, Sweep is a heartrending adventure about the everlasting gifts of friendship and wonder.

Are you an aspiring writer? Join us on the second Wednesday of each month, at the tables past the fish tanks. We’ll warm up with a few writing prompts, have some snacks, and get writing! If you feel comfortable sharing your work, we’ll have time for that at the end of the meeting. Feel free to bring writing projects you’re currently working on! For writers ages 8 and up.

Explore our new teen maker cart and collage, sketch, paint, sculpt, or whatever else you can think of. Have you been meaning to draw a comic? Make a birthday card? Learn watercolor? Now’s your chance. Snacks and materials always provided, no sign-up required. This program is for teens only.

Are you more of a Renoir or a Picasso? Is your best friend Bob Ross? Come explore your painting instincts, no matter your painting experience. Snacks and materials always provided, no sign-up required. This program is for teens only.

Come design, cut, and punch your own buttons with our button machine! Make a button with your favorite song lyric, your pronouns, or whatever else you can imagine. Snacks and materials always provided, no sign-up required. This event is for teens only.

Come design, cut, and punch your own buttons with our button machine! Make a button with your favorite song lyric, your pronouns, or whatever else you can imagine. Snacks and materials always provided, no sign-up required. This event is for teens only.

The Northampton Public Schools Preschool is a play-filled, child-centered, integrated preschool open to families who live in Northampton, Florence, and Leeds. Children who turn 3 or 4 by August 31, 2019, are eligible to start in September 2019. Our primarily half-day program runs 4 days a week, from Monday-Thursday for 2.5 hours a session. Children attend in 2 locations (Bridge Street School and Leeds Elementary), with outdoor play each day. There is a limited full-day option for children who will be 4 years old by August 31, 2019, chosen by lottery.

Calling all wildlife enthusiasts! Join Sally Naser, Julie Richburg, and Hilltown Land Trust for a talk about trail camera photography followed by a field excursion for a demonstration of trail cameras set up. 10 Dollars for members of HLT and the Trustees. 15 Dollars for nonmembers. RSVP Required to HLTlandsteward@thetrustees.org or 413-628-4485 ext 4.

Please call 413-628-4485 ext 4 for any questions about accessibility or accommodations!

Half Day Discovery Day: Winter Survival
Wednesday, February 6
1-2 pm
Ages 6-12
413-863-3221
Great Falls Discovery Center
Free.
Gill-Montague school students (and other districts too!) get a half day off. Why not discover something new? Join Olivia and Sam from the Student Conservation Association for a fun filled hour of winter survival. Learn how our furry friends make it through harsh winters. For ages 6 to 12, accompanied by an adult, but all are welcome to join us for stories, games, and crafts!

kasia wynne said,

Amherst Orchid Society Annual Orchid Show. Feb 23rd, 9am to 5pm and Feb 24th 10am to 4pm. Held at Smith Vocational High School, 80 Locust St. (Ret9) Northampton, Ma. 01060. We are a nationally judge show with several awarded plants. We will have talks both Sat and Sun about growing orchids. There will be vendors present if the orchid bug bites you selling both plants and supplies. Admission is $5.00 for adults and children under 12 are free. Our club has been in existence 30 years with our show at Smith for the last 10 year.

Many of us as parents are looking for ways to pass on to our children the dharma-inspired values we find so healing and helpful in our own lives. Join author, psychologist, and father Dr. Chris Willard in a workshop about integrating Buddhist principles into family life, from mindfulness to compassion and beyond. We will discuss and practice Buddhist principles as they relate to parenting and family.

A Free Event, The Luminaria on the Town Common opens the week of WinterFest in Amherst MA. Stroll the pathways, sip some hot chocolate and enjoy the beauty of hundreds of candle lights in bags decorated by area schools. Candles courtesy of Yankee Candle. Free hot chocolate at La Veracruzana. Special food and drink for sale outdoors on the patio of 30 Boltwood. Musical performances, including the Amherst College DQ at 5:30. Activities for children, including face painting. Warming stations and free hand warmers courtesy of sponsor TD Bank. Grace Episcopal Church offers a musical warming station from 6-7 pm with special choral performances of songs about light and illumination and samples from the songbook Lift Every Voice and Sing, Volume II by Horace Boyer.

WINTER NATURE PLAY GROUP
Next FRIDAY, JANUARY 25th
10-11:30 AM
Anne T. Dunphy School in Williamsburg
FREE and open to all children ages 0-6 and their caregivers.
Dress for outdoor play and JOIN US!!

The childhood benefits of regular play in Nature are many! Join us as we head outdoors to explore the ways our natural surroundings can be used as an invitation to play. Through discovery hike, song, sensory activity, free play, story and snack, we will connect with other families while engaging with the natural world. ** Please dress your child in snow pants, boots, coat, hat, and mittens/gloves as we will be outside for most of our time together. Led by Meg Taylor, Director of Field & Forest Education Services.

Thank you to the Hampshire Regional CFCE grant for sponsoring this program.

Sunday, January 27, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tu BiShvat Holiday Community Seder & RUACH Community School. Grades preK-7 will be joined by all ages and members of the community for a Tu BiShvat holiday celebration. There will be separate adult and kid learning and art projects from 3:30-4:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Riqi and specialists, followed by a community-wide fruit-tree Tu BiShvat SEDER from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Please bring any item grown from trees to share (pre cut up is easier, but anything works! Creativity counts.) Please RSVP and indicate if you would like to help set up the Seder trays. Generous support from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.

Monday, January 21. Tu BiShvat B’earthday of the Trees — the actual holiday falls on MLK, Jr. day this year. (Beit Ahavah will hold our community-wide holiday event on Sunday, January 27, 3:30-5:30 p.m. for Tu BiShvat.) “Even in New England, as the trees are in their wintry state, this holiday marks the beginning of a “new year” for trees – the season in which the earliest-blooming trees in the Land of Israel emerge from their winter sleep and begin a new fruit-bearing cycle. We attach special significance to this holiday because “The human is [compared to] the tree of the field.” (Deuteronomy 20:19)

DRESS WARM as the rabbi hopes we can be outside as much as possible (RSVP to beitahavah@gmail.com if you would like to come or for address.) Bring binoculars and telescopes if you have them. Kids, teens, snacks welcome (no school the next day). We’ll bless the Tree of Life in the Kabbalistic custom of a Tu BiShvat seder dining on fruits of different varieties and the 7 species from the Land of Israel, and some warming Tu BiShvat drinks. The next total lunar eclipse with the same visibility from Earth won’t be until November 30, 2058: nearly 40 years from now. Wherever you will be, don’t miss this powerful convergence of phenomena and holy-days!

A spiritually uplifting monthly service with new and old melodies. Parshat B’shallach is “Shabbat Shirah, the Sabbath of Song,” when Moses led the children singing and Miriam led the women dancing through the sea — perfect timing for the night night before the Women’s March. Followed by an Oneg sponsored by Linda Wallack. One tradition for “Shabbat Shirah” is to go outside to feed the birds, in honor of the songbirds who accompanied the Israelites. Please join us! Supported by the Klara Grape Memorial Music Fund.

Come share your support, input and feedback on proposed projects:
• Housing Rehabilitation
• Hilltown Elder Network
• Health Outreach Program for Elders
• Childcare Subsidy Program
• It Takes a Village
• Or other programs of interest to you

What? Community Soup Nights are FREE and open to all. The Creamery and guest chefs will provide hot vegetarian soup and bread and community members are invited to eat for free. During the evening, artists and performers, storytellers, comedians, and poets are invited to share our OPEN MIC. Each month we will also select a local Hilltown non-profit to which all proceeds from the evening will be donated.

Why? Winter is a time for gathering with family, and we want to celebrate, feed, engage, and care for our Creamery family more often. We hope you will join us for these monthly meals. If you are interested in volunteering as a guest chef or host to help make these nights happen, please contact Seva at membership@oldcreamery.coop

Want to help but short on time? Help us spread the word, bring a friend, bring the kids, and bring your own bowl when you come to reduce cleanup and waste! Every little bit helps!

This is a weekend escape for women of all ages looking to reignite their playful spirits. The all-inclusive wellness camp led by field experts features fitness classes, yoga, hiking, group circles, a campfire, singalongs, arts & crafts, and a glow-in-the-dark dance party. Scrumptious, nutritious meals will be prepared by an in-house chef amid stunning scenery in the hills of the Pioneer Valley. The camp will highlight the power of women as individuals while also creating space for bonding among friends and strangers-turned-friends. Join us for this epic adventure, and get ready to glow it up!

Do you have an child eligible for Kindergarten in the fall in Northampton, Leeds, or Florence?* Come to our last kindergarten information night, where you can ask and hear about our registration process, curriculum, and other details. Come to know and be known!

*All children in Northampton, Florence, or Leeds who will turn 5 years old on or before August 31 2019 are eligible to start kindergarten in September 2019.

Greenfield Winter Carnival’s 97th Celebration promises six more weeks of fun! Nothing says tradition in Greenfield like Winter Carnival. Since its very beginnings, this event has brought the community together in a celebration of the season. A weekend full of activities is sure to warm the spirit of the entire community. Kicking off the weekend is live downtown ice carving, followed by the illuminating Parade of Lights that travels through picturesque Main Street, followed by Fireworks bursting over the iconic Poet Seat Tower and a Winter Carnival Ball at Hawks & Reed. The fun continues throughout the weekend with a Family Fun Fest, Sleigh Bell Run, cribbage tournament, Breakfast with Olaf, Cardboard Sled Race, Vintage Snowmobile Show, K9 Keg Pull, Chili Cook-Off, and so much more! It’s a true family favorite.

INTEGRATED PRESCHOOL at NORTHAMPTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Applications for September 2019 start now available!

* Open to families who live in Northampton, Florence, and Leeds
* Children who turn 3 or 4 by August 31, 2018
* Mon-Thurs, half-days (limited full day for 4 year olds)
* 2 locations: Leeds Elementary and Bridge Street School

Using dramatic play, students are introduced to the elements of musical theatre. Students learn songs and simple choreography to beloved musical theatre classics. Students will explore character, movement, songs and dance.

This year, Pathlight and Whole Children are screening “Intelligent Lives”, a story that follows three individuals with intellectual disabilities who challenge perceptions of intelligence as they navigate the world.

The film will be screened on February 10th, 2019, at 5:00PM until 7:30PM. The film will be screened at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, which is located at 125 West Bay Road, Amherst, MA.

The event is FREE, but to support community events at Whole Children, we welcome all donations.

This year, Pathlight and Whole Children are screening “Intelligent Lives”, a story that follows three individuals with intellectual disabilities who challenge perceptions of intelligence as they navigate the world.

The film will be screened on February 10th, 2019, at 5:00PM until 7:30PM. Following the screening, there will be a panel discussion and reception.

The event is FREE, but to support community events at Whole Children, we welcome all donations.

Parent Support (free childcare provided)
Caregivers often find themselves on the brink of burnout; experiencing irritability, stress, and fatigue. This free drop-in group will explore ways to replenish the inner well and nourish the mind.

We welcome all parents and caregivers to join us for coffee and conversation from 10-11:30am on Wednesdays. This is a loosely structured group – it’s fine to come in late, leave early or come in and out to tend to children. Share the good, the bad, and the ugly of raising children from infancy to adulthood! We provide an opportunity for introductions, checking in about how our weeks are going and a chance to exchange resources, information and wisdom with each other in a judgement free, advice-free (unless requested) zone!
Free and open to the public with free childcare down the hall in a preschool playroom with variety of toys and plenty of space for getting the wiggles out (perfect solution for the cold days of January and February!) Babies are welcome to stay with parents in the group too.
This group is led by a local parent with experience in mental health care, the LGBTQIA+ community, and raising children with special needs. ALL parents and caregivers are encouraged to come and share.

Parents and Caregivers and their (pre-walking) infants
Join us for this free weekly yoga class for parents and babies. A space for babies and those taking care of them to breathe, stretch, and explore movement in their bodies.

All levels welcome, babies and pre-walkers.
Please bring a blanket and a mat.

Parent Support (free childcare provided)
Come take a coffee (or tea) break with other local mothers, and sip and share in this casual, drop-in group. Coffee, tea, and refreshments are provided, as well as childcare so parents can relax and chat.

This group is a safe and confidential space for mothers, parents who are women (both transgender and cisgender), as well as anyone else for whom the label “mom” is a good fit. Our childcare provider will supervise the children in the childcare room while parents meet in an adjacent room.

Saturday Parents Group
First Saturday of the month (Feb 2, March 2, Apr 6, May 4, June 1)
11:00am-12:30pm

Parent Support (free childcare provided)
We welcome all parents and caregivers to join us for coffee, snacks and relaxation from 11-12:30 the 1st Saturday of every month (while the Village Closet is open!) Enjoy some down time or social time in the library with other grownups! We will have an area for refreshments and chatting, and another area for people who may want to catch up on their email, read, play candy crush, pay bills or just lounge quietly without their children for a bit! Babies are welcome to stay with their parents or enjoy childcare in the large preschool playroom down the hall, with a variety of toys and plenty of space for getting the wiggles out. Perfect solution for the cold days of January and February! This group is free and open to the public.

Multi-Arts invites your children to join us on January 20 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) in an exploratory day of the ARTS. Children will work with professional artists exploring different types of art, dance, creating stories, mime and more.

A day of immersion in the arts is valued at $75 but you can pay by DONATION!

1/4/2019 and 1/5/2019–GREAT DISCOUNTS at Historic 2-Day Ski and Winter Gear Sale- Benefit ski and skate sale for the Amherst Historical Society, stocked with hundreds of new and used skis, skates, and winter gear for the entire family from the beginner to the expert taking place on Friday, January 4th, 5-9 p.m. and Saturday, January 5th 9 am-2pm at a new location in downtown Amherst at the Pacific Lodge, located at 99 Main Street, Amherst. (next door to the police station and Black Sheep Deli). info@amhersthistory.org or 413-687-9493 for more information.

Art Reception – Talking Cloth: Kangas from East Africa
Saturday, January 5
1-3 pm
All ages.
413-863-3221Janel.nockleby@mass.gov
Greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org
Great Falls Discovery Center
2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 1376
Free
The opening reception for the Great Hall art exhibit features a talk about the history and cultural context of kangas. The reception is also a kid friendly opportunity to try on kangas, and participate by imagining and drawing your own kanga design. Design a border and center, and then think about what message you might want to convey. Do you have a mantra or favorite proverb?

Before there were T shirts to convey our thoughts and identities, there were kangas. Kangas are the everyday cloth worn and used by women in many East African countries, unique for their colorful patterns and also their printed text. The messages, slogans and sayings printed on these cloths are used by women to trade barbed insults, give each other compliments, commemorate events, or to express hope, sorrow, and pride. The kangas in this exhibit are from the collections of two local women who have lived and worked in Kenya and Tanzania. The Discovery Center will be open special hours on Monday, January 21, 10 am to 4 pm for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

First Day Hike
Tuesdsay, January 1
1-3 pm
All ages.
413-863-3221Janel.nockleby@mass.gov
Greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org
Great Falls Discovery Center
2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 1376
Free
Enjoy a leisurely two-mile stroll down the Canalside Rail Trail and get the New Year started off on a Great Falls note. This family friendly hike follows a gentle route and provides an opportunity to discover the |abundant natural, historical, and cultural features that make the Great Falls Discovery Center and rail trail such an amazing State Park! Be prepared for cold weather: dress in layers and wear winter boots. Dogs are welcome on leash. Afterward, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate in the Discovery Center’s Great Hall, sponsored by our Friends Group. Sign in at the Discovery Center’s Great Hall at 1:00 pm. Hike will begin at 1:15 pm.

The Bement School Kindergarten-Grade 9 Open House
Please join us to learn what makes Bement remarkable.
Prospective parents and students interested in learning more about Bement are welcome to visit our campus and discover what sets Bement apart from other schools in the Pioneer Valley. Join us for information sessions and conversation with current teachers and administrators.

The Bement School Kindergarten Classroom Visit
Please join us to learn what makes Bement remarkable.
Prospective families interested in learning more about kindergarten are welcome to visit our campus and discover what sets Bement apart from other schools in the Pioneer Valley. Join us for a campus tour, observation of a kindergarten class, and a question and answer session with our head of school, lower school head, director of admission, and current kindergarten teachers. FREE EVENT
Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019
8:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
The Admission Office, Barton House
R.S.V.P. 413.774.4209

The program is free and open to all children aged 4-14. Children under 8 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. 11 Points of Kindness Day is in memory of the 11 victims of the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA. The program will revolve around acts of goodness and kindness. Activities will include cookie decorating, interactive games, hands-on science, drama and crafts.

There will be two special adult learning sessions. Esther Kosofsky will lead a session for women only titled “How do we illuminate the dark?” at 1:00 p.m. Rabbi Noach Kosofsky will lead a session at 2:00 p.m.

No reservation is required. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information please call LYA at 413-567-8665 or email info@lya.org.

The Carle has teamed up with friends from First Book to observe their Friendiversary, an annual celebration of friendship and reading. Bring a friend and join us as we celebrate books with Elephant, Piggie, and a host of other Museum friends–a FREE Mo Willems book to every child who attends (while supplies last)! To learn more about First Book, visit http://www.firstbook.org. Free books compliments of Disney Publishing Worldwide.

(Snow Date: Thursday, January 31)
Adult workshop, ages 16 and up
Join The Carle’s Art Educators in this evening workshop and experiment with easy-to-find materials such as dish soap, chalk, shaving cream, and paint to create your own highly patterned and colorful marbled papers! This workshop will provide you with all the materials and guidance you need to walk away with papers perfect for your next creative project or homemade gift.

Across the Curriculum with The Very Hungry Caterpillar
January 18, 2019
9:30am – 1:30pm
$50 (Members $42.50

(4 PDPs) 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the beloved children’s book The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Join Carle educators and their colleagues from The Museum of Science, Boston as they share how this iconic text can be utilized across the curriculum, from creative writing prompts and bookmaking to butterfly identification and scientific, observational drawing. The workshop will include a tour of The Carle’s special exhibition, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Turns 50.

Girl Scouts of South Hadley/Granby and the Society of American Magicians invite you to join us for A Magical Afternoon!

Performers from The Society of American Magicians will be performing a matinee magic show at the South Hadley High School auditorium to benefit Girl Scouts of South Hadley/Granby. This is a show for the whole family featuring a variety of performers from mentalists to illusionists.

When: Saturday February 2, 2019. Doors open at 2:15 PM, Show starts at 3:00 PM

Where: South Hadley High School Auditorium (153 Newton St, South Hadley)

Sarah Johnson said,

The Springfield Symphony Orchestra visits the library! After an introduction to the instruments, participants get a chance to bow a violin, blow a horn or tap out a rhythm on a drum. Here’s your chance to try an instrument in a judgment-free zone that encourages exploration and excitement!

Visit with live animals from Forest Park Zoo, right here at the library! Space is limited, so please register in person in the Children’s Department, by calling 587-1010, or by emailing sjohnson@forbeslibrary.org.

Middle School and High School student input is sought at the Greenfield Public Library for a public service campaign about healthy friendships and relationships. Students will receive a $100 Visa Gift Card for attending a focus group discussion at the library on November 17th. Parental permission is required. The focus groups are being conducted for the Massachusetts Governor’s Council task force. Please visit website for more details. https://www.research.net/r/Focus_Group_At_Greenfield_Library_December_17_2018

Tot Shabbat & Tot Sha-potluck rocks out on the 6th night of Chanukah!! Get ready for Chanukah Bamba and Judah Maccabee. Led by Marlene Rachelle with Rabbi Riqi for families with kids 0-6 & their friends. Spin like a dreidel, pour the grape juice and braid like a challah… we are going to have a lot of fun. Please bring a vegetarian, no-nuts dish to share for the Tot Sha-potluck dinner. Dreidel games and play after dinner! Generous support from Harold Grinspoon Foundation and co-sponsored by PJ Library Western Massachusetts. See our Facebook event by clicking here.

Musical Chanukah Shabbat Shirah & Stargazing

Friday, Dec 7, 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Led by Rabbi Riqi Kosovske with singer-guitarist Charlie Braun & Singers. Welcoming Rabbi David Seidenberg and his telescope for “Chanukah Lights Beneath the Stars” – We will look at the Pleiades, Orion’s sword, and other beauties in the eye of the telescope with Reb Duvid’s Kabbalistic inspirations, weather permitting! Plus a delicious Oneg and jelly donuts/sufganiyot from GLAZED. Supported by the Klara Grape Memorial Music Fund and Harold Grinspoon Foundation Family Grant. Please see our Facebook event here!

In Mission Defrostable, our favorite breakfast food friends are back and “bready” for their next adventure! There’s a frost in the fridge–and it’s hardened Pudding Pond and frozen Yogurt Falls. Agent Asparagus is on the case, and she begs Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast to join her superspy team. But when the enemy snatches Asparagus, Pancake and French Toast have only one dough man to turn to for help: the evil Baron von Waffle! Will he help them save the fridge…or are they doomed to become frozen food? Join author Josh Funk for the third installment in his hilarious Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series.

Book signing to follow program. Can’t make it to the event? You may reserve signed books online or contact The Carle Bookshop at shop@carlemuseum.org.

What can a donkey, a dog, a cat, and a rooster do when they have to leave their farm? Become world famous musicians, of course! CactusHead Puppets brings to life the hilarious tale of four farm animals who set out on the road to Bremen to pursue their dreams of stardom. Along the way, they encounter a fortune, foil some robbers, and learn how to work together in harmony. This production features lovable rod puppets, elaborate shadow scenes, and CactusHead Puppets’ signature sense of humor.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Museum Admissions Desk or by calling 413-559-6336.

Hoot! Hoot! Explore the Museum–and our special exhibition Illustrated Owls: A Who’s Hoo from the Vault–under the cover of night! In addition to night-themed art projects, storytimes, and films, guests will enjoy an evening snack of milk and cookies.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Museum Admissions Desk or by calling 413-559-6336.

Celebrate the culmination of the 2018 Create with The Carle! series with us. The event will feature readings of original work by participants of the Creative Writing course, as well as an exhibition of visual art from the Collage, Printmaking, and Bookmaking courses.

Elliot isn’t quite sure what Christmas spirit is, but he suspects he doesn’t have it. Not even a visit to Santa Claus can put Elliot in the right mood. But when chance blows a letter for Santa into Elliot and Mouse’s path, the two friends discover what Christmas is all about–and make a new friend, too. Join Mike Curato as he reads from his new picture book Merry Christmas, Little Elliot, a heartfelt celebration of the season of giving!

Book signing to follow program. Can’t make it to the event? You may reserve signed books online or contact The Carle Bookshop at shop@carlemuseum.org.

Best of the Best in 2018
December 15, 2018 @ The Eric Carle Museum
11:00am
Free with Museum Admission

(1.5 PDPs) In anticipation of the 2019 American Library Association Book & Media Awards, join Susan Bloom from The Center for the Study of Children’s Literature at Simmons University, and The Carle’s Shop Manager Eliza Brown as they share their favorites.

Bruce is a lot of things. He is a bear. He is a grump. He is a pretty decent cook. And he is a mother. One thing Bruce is not? Santa Claus. But that doesn’t stop the whole forest from lining up to give him their holiday wishes when he becomes the victim of mistaken identity again. Kids will howl with laughter as award-winning author-illustrator Ryan T. Higgins delivers another hilarious story about a bear who just can’t catch a break.

Book signing to follow program. Can’t make it to the event? You may reserve signed books online or contact The Carle Bookshop at shop@carlemuseum.org.

Join award-winning authors Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple for this program all about birds! Jane will read from her new picture book Crow Not Crow, a gentle tale of a father introducing his daughter to the joys of bird watching; and Heidi will read from her new book Counting Birds, a beautifully illustrated non-fiction book about the Audubon Christmas Bird Count that introduced kids to the idea of citizen science. The program will include bird watching and owl calling!

Book signing to follow program. Can’t make it to the event? You may reserve signed books online or contact The Carle Bookshop at shop@carlemuseum.org.

Yo ho ho! It’s the first day of kindergarten. Just imagine all the fun things to learn and experience! And who better than a pirate captain to drive the bus to school? Join illustrator Kevin Barry as he reads from his new picture book Kindergarrrten Bus, a hilarious story that playfully addresses the anxiety many feel on their first day of school–or at the start of any new undertaking!

Book signing to follow program. Can’t make it to the event? You may reserve signed books online or contact The Carle Bookshop at shop@carlemuseum.org.

Join us for this year’s festive family day — just in time for the holidays! Enjoy a variety of animal-inspired crafts, card making, art scavenger hunts, button-making, storytime, music, and yummy refreshments.

Are you looking to find a safe, effective, inexpensive & more natural approach to optimal health? Homeopathy has been helping millions of people all over the world improve the quality of their lives for over 200 years.

The Homeopathy Film Festival is the first-ever double screening of two homeopathic documentaries – Just One Drop & Magic Pills – dive into the science, healing powers & current societal constraints around this form of medicine. Come immerse yourself in an afternoon of learning which will include these two documentaries, a LIVE Q & A with the filmmakers, an opportunity to speak with local homeopaths & various health-related vendors who are all here to foster optimal health. All attendees will go home with some homeopathic samples, educational information & resources from the community.

Make a difference in the lives of our neighbors! We’ll learn about the Jewish value of repairing the world, and assemble “blessing bags” – toiletry and comfort items for those in need. Every PJ Pals includes story-time and music, and ends with Tumble and Play in our sunny multi-purpose room. Especially for ages 3-5. Suggested donation $5 per family.

A project of Lander-Grinspoon Academy and PJ Library of Western Massachusetts. Supported by generous funding from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.

Friday night, November 16, 6-7:30pm: MUSICAL SHABBAT SHIRAH service led by the incredible Yoel Sykes and Nava Tehila band from Jerusalem, with me, my friend Charlie Braun on guitar, and Beit Ahavah Singers. I would love ALL the RUACH and Hebrew and B’nei Mitzvah Journey students and families to attend! There will also be a Teen Ice-Cream Oneg led by Zora (upstairs) and a regular Oneg (downstairs) afterwards with lots of yummy things to eat. Supported by a Harold Grinspoon Foundation Grant. We will learn many new and some old songs for a beautiful Shabbat service! CLICK here for the Musical Shabbaton info and to invite others: https://www.facebook.com/events/1584473568318876/

Also, next Sunday, November 18, 3:30-5:30pm: RUACH Community School, grades preK-7. Believe it or not, we are already thinking about Chanukah, stories of religious freedom and the miracle of the Festival of Light (which starts on December 2 with our Latke Factory celebration!)! So please mark your calendars for next Sunday’s, November 18 class. PARENTS are asked to stay for an important adult Community Forum discussion that will be during RUACH from 4-5:30pm downstairs in the Social Hall annex (Music Room).

Join us for another fun night of volunteering and networking with young professionals. We’re celebrating one year of this event series!

Learn more about how The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts is feeding our neighbors in need and leading the community to end hunger.

Make an immediate positive impact by sorting and packing donated food items for distribution, followed by a social hour featuring Berkshire Brewing Company beer, Headwater Cider and Black Birch Vineyard wine. Libations and snacks provided at no additional cost.

Suzie Smith said,

Let’s Dance is a joyous night of dancing and celebration that supports enrichment programs associated with individuals with disabilities. The event will be hosted by Pathlight, and will take place Saturday, November 17th, from 6:30pm-10:00pm. Similar to Dancing With the Stars, Pathlight participants pair up with community members and create a 1.5 minute dance routine that is choreographed by a local dance instructor. To cast a vote for your favorite dance duo, go to https://pathlightgroup.org/lets-dance/, where one $10 donation is equal to one vote. Come enjoy a night of food, drinks, and DANCING!

Grandparents and Kin raising others children are invited to join us for a support group on Thursday, Nov. 1st, from 10 AM-12 PM. The group is an informal group for those wanting support and resources. This can be The meeting will be held at The Bridge Family Resource Center in the Slobody Building, 101 University Drive, Amherst, MA. The group is a collaborative effort between The United Arc, Adoption Journeys and The Bridge Family Resource Center. Light refreshments will be served. For more information please call Pat Keith at 413-834-4073.

All events held at 130 Pine St unless otherwise specified. Contact us at info@beitahavah.org for more information.

Thursday, November 1, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Hebrew Havurah.
Grades 3-7 meets Thursdays after school to study modern Hebrew and prayer services, with healthy snacks, songs and fun in a learning studio environment.

Friday, November 2, 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Tot Shabbat and Tot Sha-Potluck.
Led by Marlene Rachelle. Tot Shabbat is the jamming monthly musical hour welcoming the Sabbath for families with kids ages 0-6 & their friends, 1st Friday of the month. Bring a nut free vegetarian dish to share, and pizza is provided. Major funding is provided by Harold Grinspoon Foundation and co-sponsored by PJ Library.

Saturday, November 3, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Movie Night at Beit Ahavah: “The Producers”!
All ages welcome, admission is free. There will be refreshments for sale. Brought to you by the BA Adult Programming Committee.

Sunday, November 4, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Beit Ahavah Teens Event: Puzzled Escape Room!
Only $12 (half price). Contact us at 413 587 3770 to RSVP. We’ll meet at Puzzled in the Eastworks Building in Easthampton, or carpool with us from Beit Ahavah at 2pm. This is our first teen event organized by Zora Berman, our new Teen Coordinator and longtime Beit Ahavah teacher. We will be meeting up with the Springfield Sinai Temple Teen SPFTY group that is run by Elizabeth and Jonathan Dubinsky! Generous support by an HGF Teen Grant.

Christina Kopp said,

Join Laurie Davidson of Mucho Gusto and musician Tom Carroll for Bim Bam, a highly interactive, bilingual Spanish/English program for the whole family! The program is designed for kids ages 0-5, but siblings and caregivers are welcome!

The morning will be for families to share together moments of silent practice and expressions of mindfulness through drawing, movement and music. We will look at how our family life can encourage interconnection within our homes and in the world. If you have musical instruments please bring them and come for a morning of fun and connection!

Adi Bemak has been practicing Buddhism for four decades, beginning in 1976 when she was introduced to Buddhism in Myanmar (then Burma). As her practice deepened over many years of retreat at the Insight Meditation Society (IMS), she went on to complete the three-year Community Dharma Leaders Program at the Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Since 2001 Adi has been teaching at InsightPV and serving on the teachers’ council. She is also on the mentor faculty of the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, an international training designed and overseen by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. For nearly 20 years Adi has taught Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), including several years on the faculty of the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Healthcare, and Society at UMass Medical School. In addition, for nearly a decade she has been teaching MBSR locally through the Valley Mindfulness Center, and is a Co-Buddhist Advisor (along with Peggy Gillespie) at Mt. Holyoke College. Adi maintains a mindfulness-based psychotherapy practice in Amherst, and also relishes her time with family and friends.

NECCA’s annual Nutcracker performance, The Flying Nut. features performers from our recreational classes, youth performance troupes and professional training programs. An unforgettable evening of high-flying feats, acrobatics and so much more!

The 9th ANNUAL BERKSHIRE DRUM FEST to support the Tamarack Hollow Nature and Cultural Center
Saturday October 20th 7pm-9pm (show, walk ins welcome at door)
Sunday October 21st 10:30am-12 & 1-2:30pm (drum classes, registration required)
At the Windsor Town Hall, 1927 Route 9 Windsor, MA
The drum fest is an annual community experience to gather and celebrate the spirit of the drum. Drum fest 2018 will feature West African drum classes on Sunday 10/21 (registration required) led by master drummer & “Djembe Fola” Namory Keita from Sangbarala, Guinea West Africa with a performance on Saturday 10/20 with Namory Keita, the Berkshire Rhythm Keepers led by Aimee Gelinas, Chris Hairston and special guests. Fest proceeds will support the Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center’s year round environmental education for all ages, the “Raise the Roof” fund to build a sustainable nature and cultural education center and to continue to conserve 32 acres of highland boreal forest in Windsor, MA for future generations. Tamarack Hollow is a 501c3 tax-exempt non-profit organization whose mission is to “Inspire environmental and cultural awareness, appreciation and stewardship”. Visit the website or Facebook event page for more info. Doors open at 6:30pm on 10/20 for the concert that will also include a world marketplace, silent auction, and Tamarack Hollow video. Concert is $10-20+ suggested donations at the door (walk ins welcome for concert only) or make a donation on the website: http://www.tamarackhollownatureandculturalcenter.org
Email Director Aimee Gelinas at aimee@gaiaroots.com to register for drum classes on 10/21 (required). More info and RSVP on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/events/253834468813815/

The Fig Tree Waltzes is the newest production of Acrobatic Conundrum, a Seattle based contemporary circus company. The show is a moving exploration of indecision, desperation and tenacity in the face of choice. Devised and performed by Acrobatic Conundrum, this work features their signature style of virtuosic athletics infused with relatable humanity. Add in choreography from Costa Rica’s Jimmy Ortiz, and you have a blend of circus and dance that pushes the artists to the edge. In a world where stakes are high and time is running out, The Fig Tree Waltzes is a paean to the human drive to keep playing against overwhelming odds.

Did you ever wonder what the library looks like at night…on Halloween? It glows! Glow in the dark fun includes games of ring toss and bowling, glow in the dark books, and, of course, candy! From 6-8pm.

iPads for infants, touch screens for toddlers, video games for preschoolers-screens are everywhere! Join us for a discussion on the impact of screen time on young children’s development, and guidance on screen time with young children. Childcare available. Please pre-register.

The Palmer Monson Family Network is a Collaborative for Educational Services program funded by the MA Dept of Early Education & Care. We are open to ALL families living in Palmer, Monson and surrounding communities with children birth through age 8. All programs and playgroups are free!

Monte’s March IX
November 19 & 20, 2018
2 Days. 3 Counties. 43 Miles.
Fighting hunger, feeding hope.
Benefiting The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts
On November 19 & 20, WRSI – The River’s Monte Belmonte will be leading his annual march against hunger through the Pioneer Valley, during his Monte’s March event. For those two-days, Monte, Congressman Jim McGovern, and a number of their supporters, will push a shopping cart 43 miles from Springfield to Greenfield to raise awareness and funds for food insecurity in our region. Supporters are encouraged to donate money to benefit The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. Last year, the event raised more than $258,000. You can become involved in the March itself by raising money and marching as an individual, team or a virtual marcher. We also welcome any schools interested in the March to hold food or fund drives at school, host your own “mini-March,” or cheer on the Marchers on 11/19 or 11/20. For more information visit https://www.foodbankwma.org/events/montes-march9/.
Questions? Contact Event Coordinator, Jennifer Therkelsen at JenniferT@foodbankwma.org

October 11, 18, & 25: 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Grades 3-7 meet Thursdays after school to study modern Hebrew and the prayer services, with healthy snacks, songs and fun in a great learning studio environment.

B’NEI MITZVAH JOURNEY CLASS

October 11, & 25: 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Led by Rabbi Riqi Kosovske. An exciting peer-cohort that meets bimonthly on Thursday evenings from 5:30-7 p.m. for students whose B’nei Mitzvah service is scheduled in the upcoming year, with family involvement in services and class Shabbat dinners. Vegetarian pizza is provided by families.

Professor Sally Campbell Galman, a researcher in gender and childhood and herself the parent of a transgender child will facilitate a conversation and exploration on “Supporting Transgender and Gender Creative Children: Questions, Conversations and Coming Together.” Dr. Galman will gear the workshop towards participants’ particular interests and questions.
You can submit questions on this anonymous online question form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2JQSL3Z
This event is open to anyone interested in learning more (open to the public). You do not need to be a parent. Childcare provided.

Supporting Transgender and Gender Creative Children
Professor Sally Campbell Galman, a researcher in gender and childhood and herself the parent of a transgender child will facilitate a conversation and exploration on “Supporting Transgender and Gender Creative Children: Questions, Conversations and Coming Together.” Dr. Galman will gear the workshop towards participants’ particular interests and questions.
You can submit questions on this anonymous online question form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2JQSL3Z
This event is open to anyone interested in learning more (open to the public). You do not need to be a parent. Childcare provided.

Join us for the first hike of the fall at the Bradley property in Williamsburg. The Bradley property is 41 acres of forest land with a 2 mile network of trails located on Old Goshen Road in Williamsburg. The east side of the property is bounded by Nichols Brook.

We will be doing 1-2 miles of easy-to-moderate hiking at an easy-to-moderate pace. Trail is an uneven surface with some step-over logs. Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy boots or shoes with good traction. Note that no bathroom facilities are available at the Bradley property. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome. All ages are welcome

Join Beit Ahavah for Tot Shabbat & Tot Sha-Potluck, the original Tot Shabbat that has swept the nation!

Held the first Friday of the month, Tot Shabbat is the magical, musical hour celebrating the Sabbath and holidays for families with kids 0-6 and their friends. Led by the amazing Marlene Rachelle, who specializes in musical family services throughout the community.

Tot Shabbat is followed by a vegetarian (no nuts) potluck, and pizza is provided. Contact us at info@beitahavah.org if you’re interested in bringing a dish to share!

Learn more about this and other Beit Ahavah family programs at our website: http://www.beitahavah.org/ruach/. Tot Shabbat takes place in the music room & social hall at 130 Pine Street, Florence. Call us at (413) 587-3770 for questions or more information.

To those of you with young people ages 12-18 in your life, I’d like to let you know about a one-of-a-kind dance program starting this Fall called One Earth Drum & Dance Co. The group will be led by Kalpana Devi of the local band ReBelle, plus a variety of other guest choreographers, drummers, and community leaders. The focus is on empowering participants by nurturing their creative expression, instilling a sense of inclusion, and leveraging their unique gifts as a way to engage in their community. The group will meet throughout the academic year, approximately once per month, in Amherst. Most of the meet-ups will be on Fridays from 4-8pm, with some exceptions.

At each scheduled gathering, the company will meet, warm up, drum, dance, have dinner, enjoy a themed talk, discuss ideas, inspirations, activism and plan for the next meet-up. At every meet-up there will be group classes taught with an emphasis on personal development, well-being, and collective rapport. Rehearsals and creative process will be directed with a focus on artistic integrity, technical development and freedom to explore. Multi-level classes will complement scheduled time for creative content geared toward individual drummers’ and dancers’ skill sets. The program will culminate on June 1st and 2nd with performances for friends, family, and community!

There is an optional orientation meeting taking place this Friday, September 29th. Registrations will be accepted through December 14th.

If this sounds like a good fit for a young person in your life, please contact Kalpana for further details. She can be reached at OneEarthCo@gmail.com or 413-687-1558.

This 3 week program will provide a space for kids (ages 6 and under) to enjoy the fall gardens, pick veggies to take home and engage in art projects and yoga poses! Also included in our fall CSA ‘share’ will be some of our herbal products including bath bombs and lip balm.

Jessica Murrow said,

The Windham Orchestra stage performance of Puccini’s TURANDOT, Oct. 12 at 7pm, 14 at 2pm Latchis Theatre, Brattleboro,VT and 18 at 7pm at Academy of Music, Northampton. http://www.windhamorchestra.org or bmcvt.org for more info and tickets.

Jewish Community Family Apple Picking at Clarkdale Fruit Farms
Friday, September 28th
4:00pm
All ages welcome, but best suited for 0-11 and caregivers
Clarkdale Fruit Farms
303 Upper Rd, Deerfield, Massachusetts 01342
Apple Picking is $10 (snap and all other forms of payment accepted)
all other activities are FREEhttps://www.facebook.com/events/409527579577796/

Especially for families with young children! Celebrate the Harvest Holiday of Sukkot and welcome the Jewish day of rest, Shabbat, with freshly picked apples! Free family-friendly activities will include music, stories, Shabbat rituals, and more. Apples are $10/peck (with smaller bag options available.) Cash, credit, check, and SNAP accepted.

A collaboration between PJ Library Western Massachusetts, Clarkdale Fruit Farms, Jewish Community of Amherst, and Temple Israel of Greenfield.

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Welcome!

Welcome to Hilltown Families, an award-winning community-based education network, serving the four counties of Western Massachusetts.

Founded in 2005 by Sienna Wildfield, Hilltown Families believes in creating resilient and sustainable communities by strengthening a sense of place through methods of community engagement that supports interests and values.

By highlighting the embedded learning found in community-based resources, events, and opportunities, learning becomes inclusive, accessible, and intergenerational while remaining relevant to the learner. When community members are brought together through shared interests, meaningful connections are fostered through a shared history based in community engagement.

Awarded the "Essential Agent of Change Award" by the MDPH's Massachusetts Essentials for Childhood, Hilltown Families is recognized as a leading family strengthening initiative in the region, promoting "positive parenting through the social norm of community social connectedness."

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